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en-usFri, 09 Dec 2016 22:05:02 -0500Fri, 09 Dec 2016 22:05:02 -0500The latest news on Planned Parenthood from Business Insiderhttp://static3.businessinsider.com/assets/images/bilogo-250x36-wide-rev.pngBusiness Insiderhttp://www.businessinsider.com
http://www.businessinsider.com/ohio-abortion-laws-heartbeat-bill-20-week-ban-john-kasich-2016-12The Ohio Legislature just passed another bill banning abortionhttp://www.businessinsider.com/ohio-abortion-laws-heartbeat-bill-20-week-ban-john-kasich-2016-12
Fri, 09 Dec 2016 14:21:01 -0500Rebecca Harrington
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/57dbfe7c5124c916032ad757-800" alt="Ohio Governor John Kasich speaks as he withdraws as a U.S. Republican presidential candidate in Columbus, Ohio, U.S., May 4, 2016. REUTERS/Aaron Josefczyk " data-mce-source="Thomson Reuters" data-mce-caption="Ohio Governor John Kasich speaks as he withdraws as a U.S. Republican presidential candidate in Columbus"></p><p>The Ohio Legislature passed the second bill this week that would impose some of the strictest bans on abortion in the country.</p>
<p>The first, passed Tuesday, is known as the <a href="https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-status?id=GA131-HB-69">heartbeat bill</a> because it bans abortion after the fetus's heartbeat can be detected. The second, passed Thursday, would <a href="https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA131-SB-127">ban abortion after 20 weeks</a>.</p>
<p>Both now head to Gov. John Kasich, who hasn't said whether he'd sign or veto either.</p>
<p>Iris Harvey, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio, said the bills would make abortion illegal in the state, forcing women to travel long distances if they needed the procedure.</p>
<p>"For the second time in a week, the Ohio Legislature has inserted itself into women's private and personal healthcare decisions," Harvey said in a statement sent to Business Insider. "These bans are rejected by Ohioans. ... We're going to keep fighting back. Ohio legislators need to listen, and John Kasich needs to veto these dangerous bans."</p>
<h2>The bills</h2>
<p>Doctors can detect a fetus's heartbeat as early as <a href="http://www.babycentre.co.uk/x568552/when-will-i-hear-my-babys-heartbeat">six weeks</a> into pregnancy. Women usually <a href="http://americanpregnancy.org/week-by-week/5-weeks-pregnant/">don't find out they're pregnant until four to seven weeks</a> in — meaning the heartbeat bill would most likely leave many women unable to get a safe, legal abortion in the state.</p>
<p>Only 478 of the 20,976 abortions reported in Ohio in 2015 involved pregnancies of more than 19 weeks, according to the state <a href="http://www.odh.ohio.gov/-/media/ODH/ASSETS/Files/health-statistics---vital-stats/Induced-Abortions-in-Ohio-2015.pdf?la=en">Department of Health</a>. Fewer than 1% of abortions in the state occurred after 21 weeks into the pregnancy.</p>
<p><a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1363/4521013/abstract">Research has found</a> that most women who get abortions at or after 20 weeks wanted to get one sooner but couldn't because they couldn't travel to get one, were victims of domestic violence, were depressed or had substance abuse problems, or couldn't afford it.</p>
<p>Another reason to terminate a pregnancy after 20 weeks is severe birth defects — such as <a href="https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/trisomy-18">trisomy 18</a> — in which the fetus wouldn't survive if the woman carried it to term. On Wednesday, a couple who lost two pregnancies because of trisomy 18 <a href="https://twitter.com/ProChoiceOH/status/806998180034473985">testified before the House</a>, encouraging the committee to reject the 20-week bill.</p>
<p><img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/584b0200ca7f0c43228b474b-2400/ap070314159768.jpg" alt="Teresa Fedor ohio leg" data-mce-source="AP Photo/Tony Dejak" data-mce-caption="Rep. Teresa Fedor, D-Toledo." data-link="http://www.apimages.com/metadata/Index/Ohio-Redistricting-Move/c0f84bf29a324ca3b9db690ea47df5ea/1/0"></p>
<p>Both bills allow for an exception if the mother's health is endangered, but not for cases of rape or incest. Rep. Teresa Fedor, a Democrat from Toledo, who <a href="http://time.com/3763335/ohio-state-rep-why-i-spoke-out-about-my-rape-and-abortion/?xid=tcoshare">told the Legislature last year</a> that she had an abortion after she was raped while in the military, called the ban an "<a href="http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2016/12/08/legislature-approves-second-abortion-ban.html">attack on women</a>."</p>
<p>Abortion-rights advocacy groups, including Planned Parenthood and the Center for Reproductive Rights, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StopTheBans?src=hash">decried the bill</a>, calling it <a href="https://twitter.com/ReproRights/status/806331638208729089">unconstitutional</a> and saying it violates the Supreme Court's <a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/supremecourt/text/410/113">1973 ruling in Roe v. Wade</a> granting women a constitutional right to safe, legal abortions.</p>
<p>President-elect Donald Trump has said he wants to <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/donald-trump-supreme-court-list">appoint justices</a> who oppose abortion and would <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/60-minutes-donald-trump-family-melania-ivanka-lesley-stahl/">overturn the landmark case</a>, leaving reproductive rights up to the states.</p>
<p>Republican Keith Faber, the president of the Ohio Senate, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/ap-ohio-heartbeat-abortion-bill-heads-to-governors-desk-2016-12">told The Associated Press</a> on Tuesday that Trump's victory emboldened the Legislature to pass the heartbeat bill with the hope that the courts would uphold it.</p>
<p>"I think it has a better chance than it did before" to survive a legal challenge, Faber said.</p>
<p>"Clearly this bill's supporters are hoping that President-elect Trump will have the chance to pack the US Supreme Court with justices that are poised to overturn Roe vs. Wade," Kellie Copeland, the executive director of the abortion-rights group NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio, said in a <a href="http://www.prochoiceohio.org/media/press/20161206.shtml">statement on the heartbeat bill</a>.</p>
<p>"We must prevent that from happening to protect women's lives," Copeland added. "This bill would effectively outlaw abortion and criminalize physicians that provide this care to their patients."</p>
<h2>Abortion-rights advocates protested outside the governor's mansion Tuesday night, encouraging Kasich to veto the bill:</h2>
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We call on <a href="https://twitter.com/JohnKasich">@JohnKasich</a> to veto the 20 week abortion ban and the 6 week ban. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ohgovxmas?src=hash">#ohgovxmas</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/stopthebans?src=hash">#stopthebans</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CecileRichards">@CecileRichards</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ProChoiceOH">@ProChoiceOH</a> <a href="https://t.co/DDihyDIuUJ">pic.twitter.com/DDihyDIuUJ</a> </p>— Planned Parenthood (@PPAOhio) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/806290808148258816">December 7, 2016</a>
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HAPPENING NOW: Pro-choice protesters are outside of the governors mansion urging him to veto the heartbeat bill if it comes to his desk. <a href="https://t.co/0QSkgCPG7F">pic.twitter.com/0QSkgCPG7F</a> </p>— Bryant Maddrick (@Bryantwsyx6) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/806286160477749249">December 6, 2016</a>
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Abortion rights supporters protesting at Governor's residence where event is being held, just hours after Ohio Senate passed Heartbeat bill <a href="https://t.co/Ze4SYM4F2A">pic.twitter.com/Ze4SYM4F2A</a> </p>— Jo Ingles (@joingles) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/806287114610626560">December 7, 2016</a>
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<p>Kasich's press secretary, Emmalee Kalmbach, declined to comment on whether he would sign the heartbeat bill, according to <a href="http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2016/12/07/ohio-politics-now-will-john-kasich-sign-heartbeat-bill.html">The Columbus Dispatch</a>, and hasn't made any further statements on the 20-week bill.</p>
<p>Kasich could line-item veto the part of the heartbeat bill banning abortion, <a href="http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2016/12/06/ohio-senate-passes-heartbeat-bill.html">The Dispatch reports</a>, with Kathy DiCristofaro, the chair of the Ohio Democratic Women's Caucus, describing the abortion ban as being "tacked on as a last-minute amendment" to a bill addressing child-abuse prevention. The 20-week ban is its own standalone bill, so Kasich has to sign or veto that one as a whole.</p>
<p>Though <a href="https://www.johnkasich.com/respectinghumanlife/">Kasich opposes abortion</a>, he <a href="http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2016/12/06/ohio-senate-passes-heartbeat-bill.html">previously said</a> he wouldn't sign a heartbeat bill because of doubts over whether it would be constitutional.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://twitter.com/acluohio/status/806344394739748864">ACLU of Ohio has threatened to sue</a> if either bill becomes law. Other abortions-rights advocates would most likely join their suit.</p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/donald-trump-abortion-womens-health-platforms-positions-2016-11" >Here's where Trump stands on abortion and other women's health issues</a></strong></p>
<p><strong>DON'T MISS:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/r-trump-win-fuels-donations-iud-demand-at-planned-parenthood-2016-11" >Planned Parenthood sees a sharp spike in donations and contraception demand after Trump's victory</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/ohio-abortion-laws-heartbeat-bill-20-week-ban-john-kasich-2016-12#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/donald-trump-appoint-supreme-court-justice-overturn-roe-v-wade-abortion-60-minutes-states-2016-11">TRUMP: Women who want abortions may have to 'go to another state'</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/ohio-heartbeat-bill-banning-abortion-john-kasich-2016-12The Ohio legislature has passed one of the strictest antiabortion bills in the UShttp://www.businessinsider.com/ohio-heartbeat-bill-banning-abortion-john-kasich-2016-12
Wed, 07 Dec 2016 12:56:52 -0500Rebecca Harrington
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/57dbfe7c5124c916032ad757-800" alt="Ohio Governor John Kasich speaks as he withdraws as a U.S. Republican presidential candidate in Columbus, Ohio, U.S., May 4, 2016. REUTERS/Aaron Josefczyk " data-mce-source="Thomson Reuters" data-mce-caption="Ohio Governor John Kasich speaks as he withdraws as a U.S. Republican presidential candidate in Columbus"></p><p>The Ohio legislature passed a bill on Tuesday that would ban abortion after the fetus' heartbeat can be detected.</p>
<p>The so-called <a href="https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-status?id=GA131-HB-69">heartbeat bill</a> now heads to Gov. John Kasich, who hasn't said whether he'll sign or veto it.</p>
<p>Doctors can detect a fetus' heartbeat as early as <a href="http://www.babycentre.co.uk/x568552/when-will-i-hear-my-babys-heartbeat">six weeks</a> into pregnancy. Women usually <a href="http://americanpregnancy.org/week-by-week/5-weeks-pregnant/">don't find out they're pregnant until four to seven weeks</a> in — meaning the bill would most likely leave many women unable to get a safe, legal abortion in the state.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA131-HB-69">bill</a> doesn't provide exceptions allowing abortion in cases of rape or incest.</p>
<p>Abortion-rights advocacy groups, including Planned Parenthood and the Center for Reproductive Rights, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StopTheBans?src=hash">decried the bill</a>, calling it <a href="https://twitter.com/ReproRights/status/806331638208729089">unconstitutional</a> and saying it violates the Supreme Court's <a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/supremecourt/text/410/113">1973 ruling in Roe v. Wade</a> granting women a constitutional right to safe, legal abortions.</p>
<p>Republican Keith Faber, the president of the Ohio Senate, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/ap-ohio-heartbeat-abortion-bill-heads-to-governors-desk-2016-12">told the Associated Press</a> that Trump's victory emboldened the legislature to pass the bill, with the hope that the courts would uphold it.</p>
<p>"I think it has a better chance than it did before" to survive a legal challenge, Faber said.</p>
<p>President-elect Donald Trump has said he wants to appoint <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/donald-trump-supreme-court-list">justices</a> who oppose abortion and would <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/60-minutes-donald-trump-family-melania-ivanka-lesley-stahl/">overturn the landmark case</a>, leaving abortion rights up to the states.</p>
<p>"Clearly this bill's supporters are hoping that President-elect Trump will have the chance to pack the US Supreme Court with justices that are poised to overturn Roe vs. Wade," Kellie Copeland, the executive director of the abortion-rights group NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio, said in a <a href="http://www.prochoiceohio.org/media/press/20161206.shtml">statement</a>. "We must prevent that from happening to protect women's lives."</p>
<p>"This bill would effectively outlaw abortion and criminalize physicians that provide this care to their patients."</p>
<h2>Abortion-rights advocates protested outside the governor's mansion Tuesday night, encouraging Kasich to veto the bill:</h2>
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We call on <a href="https://twitter.com/JohnKasich">@JohnKasich</a> to veto the 20 week abortion ban and the 6 week ban. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ohgovxmas?src=hash">#ohgovxmas</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/stopthebans?src=hash">#stopthebans</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CecileRichards">@CecileRichards</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ProChoiceOH">@ProChoiceOH</a> <a href="https://t.co/DDihyDIuUJ">pic.twitter.com/DDihyDIuUJ</a> </p>— Planned Parenthood (@PPAOhio) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/806290808148258816">December 7, 2016</a>
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HAPPENING NOW: Pro-choice protesters are outside of the governors mansion urging him to veto the heartbeat bill if it comes to his desk. <a href="https://t.co/0QSkgCPG7F">pic.twitter.com/0QSkgCPG7F</a> </p>— Bryant Maddrick (@Bryantwsyx6) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/806286160477749249">December 6, 2016</a>
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<p>Kasich's press secretary, Emmalee Kalmbach, declined to comment on whether he would sign the bill, according to <a href="http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2016/12/07/ohio-politics-now-will-john-kasich-sign-heartbeat-bill.html">The Columbus Dispatch</a>.</p>
<p>He could also line-item veto the part of the bill banning abortion, <a href="http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2016/12/06/ohio-senate-passes-heartbeat-bill.html">The Dispatch reports</a>, with Kathy DiCristofaro, the chair of the Ohio Democratic Women's Caucus, describing the abortion ban as being "tacked on as a last-minute amendment" to a bill addressing child-abuse prevention.</p>
<p>Though <a href="https://www.johnkasich.com/respectinghumanlife/">Kasich opposes abortion</a>, he <a href="http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2016/12/06/ohio-senate-passes-heartbeat-bill.html">previously said</a> he opposed the bill because of doubts over whether it would be constitutional.</p>
<p>The Ohio legislature on Wednesday was also considering a <a href="https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA131-SB-127">bill that would ban abortions after 20 weeks</a> into pregnancy.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://twitter.com/acluohio/status/806344394739748864">ACLU of Ohio has threatened to sue</a> if either bill becomes law. Other abortions-rights advocates would most likely join it.</p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/donald-trump-abortion-womens-health-platforms-positions-2016-11" >Here's where Trump stands on abortion and other women's health issues</a></strong></p>
<p><strong>DON'T MISS:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/r-trump-win-fuels-donations-iud-demand-at-planned-parenthood-2016-11" >Planned Parenthood sees a sharp spike in donations and contraception demand after Trump's victory</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/ohio-heartbeat-bill-banning-abortion-john-kasich-2016-12#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/donald-trump-appoint-supreme-court-justice-overturn-roe-v-wade-abortion-60-minutes-states-2016-11">TRUMP: Women who want abortions may have to 'go to another state'</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/nonprofit-donations-are-still-surging-days-after-trumps-election-2016-11The ACLU has raised $7.2 million since the election — and it isn't the only one cashing inhttp://www.businessinsider.com/nonprofit-donations-are-still-surging-days-after-trumps-election-2016-11
Wed, 16 Nov 2016 13:45:00 -0500Michelle Mark
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/5823873f691e88284e8b50ae-1196/screen shot 2016-11-09 at 3.28.47 pm.png" alt="aclu donald trump" data-mce-source="aclu.org" data-mce-caption="The homepage of the American Civil Liberties Union's website on Wednesday, Nov. 9." data-link="https://www.aclu.org" /></p><p>Less than a week after President-elect Donald Trump's upset victory, nonprofits and charities dedicated to opposing policies he campaigned on are still being flooded with donations &mdash; for some at an unprecedented level.</p>
<p>On Monday, the <a href="https://action.aclu.org/donate-aclu?ms=web_horiz_nav_hp">American Civil Liberties Union</a> announced a whopping $7.2 million in donations over the last five days. By comparison, there were 354 donations totaling $27,806 over the same five-day period in 2012.</p>
<p>The nonprofit <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/aclu-to-donald-trump-see-you-in-court-2016-11">published an open letter</a> after Trump's election win, promising its "full firepower" should his administration pursue unconstitutional policies. The ACLU also emblazoned the homepage of its website with the message "See you in court" beside an image of Trump.</p>
<p><a href="https://secure.ppaction.org/site/Donation2?df_id=12913&amp;12913.donation=form1&amp;_ga=1.236377731.30909144.1479241231">Planned Parenthood</a> also reported a record surge of 80,000 donations since Election Day, according to <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2016/11/donald-trump-donations/507668/">The Atlantic</a>. Many of the donations were sent in the name of Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton &mdash; but also in the name of Vice President-elect <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/planned-parenthood-get-donations-in-mike-pences-name-2016-11">Mike Pence</a>, the fiercely anti-abortion rights Indiana governor who fought to defund Planned Parenthood and signed a bill requiring miscarried or stillborn fetuses be buried or cremated.</p>
<p>The money is coming at a critical time for organizations such as <a href="https://give.thetrevorproject.org/checkout/donation?eid=63307">The Trevor Project</a>, a nonprofit that offers suicide prevention services such as a 24-hour hotline for young LGBTQ people.</p>
<p>The Trevor Project was running $200,000 behind in donations before Trump's election, Deputy Executive Director Steve Mendelsohn told Business Insider. But over the last week, the project has received more than $165,000 from donors in 20 countries, and signed up nearly 1,000 new supporters to donate on a monthly basis.</p>
<p>"We were having trouble raising money before the election. &hellip; We believe that we were behind because people were focused on giving money to the candidates," Mendelsohn said. "Now we're getting back to where we should be."</p>
<p>The Trevor Project was one of several organizations touted by <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/john-oliver-donald-trump-presidential-election-he-is-not-normal-2016-11">comedian John Oliver</a> on his Sunday episode of "Last Week Tonight" in a segment on Trump's election. Mendelsohn said Oliver's shout-out helped boost the organization's donations and web traffic even further.</p>
<p>A website called <a href="https://www.ragedonate.com">RageDonate</a>&nbsp;also sprang up on Monday, presenting visitors with inflammatory statements Trump has made about minorities or marginalized groups, accompanied by suggestions for organizations to donate to.</p>
<h3>Some other nonprofits that have reported spikes in donations since Trump's election:</h3>
<p><strong><a href="https://secure3.convio.net/cfrr/site/Donation2?df_id=4620&amp;4620.donation=form1&amp;s_src=webnav&amp;s_subsrc=datasync&amp;_ga=1.80508823.1294758499.1479225932">Center for Reproductive Rights</a>:</strong>&nbsp;The legal advocacy organization has pledged to continue defending Roe v. Wade should Trump seek to overturn it by appointing anti-abortion rights Supreme Court justices. The center said on Twitter on Monday it had <a href="https://twitter.com/ReproRights/status/798317845423661056">registered nearly 500 new supporters</a> who committed to monthly donations.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://www.propublica.org/donate/">ProPublica</a>:</strong>&nbsp;The investigative journalism nonprofit reported a surge in donations after being mentioned in Oliver's segment, receiving "<a href="http://www.poynter.org/2016/propublica-is-seeing-a-surge-in-donations-after-john-olivers-trump-segment/439254/">multiple donations per minute</a>" up to 12 hours after the show aired, ProPublica President Richard Tofel told Poynter.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://www.cair.com/donations/general-donation-quran/#/donation">The Council on American-Islamic Relations</a>:</strong>&nbsp;The Muslim civil rights group has received a "<a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/amp/article/507668/">simply unprecedented</a>" 500-plus volunteer applications, Ibrahim Hooper, CAIR's communications&nbsp;director, told The Atlantic.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://www.generosity.com/community-fundraising/now-more-than-ever-help-protect-refugees">International Refugee Assistance Project</a>:</strong>&nbsp;The organization dedicated to providing legal protections for refugees raised more than $56,000 from more than 1,200 donors on Indiegogo over the past five days.</p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/aclu-to-donald-trump-see-you-in-court-2016-11" >The ACLU has received nearly $1 million in donations since Donald Trump's election</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/nonprofit-donations-are-still-surging-days-after-trumps-election-2016-11#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/president-barack-obama-donald-trump-journalists-white-house-meeting-press-2016-11">Obama gives Trump advice during their first White House meeting</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/mike-pences-most-controversial-stances-on-gay-rights-abortion-and-smoking-2016-11Here are some of Mike Pence's most controversial stances on gay rights, abortion, and smokinghttp://www.businessinsider.com/mike-pences-most-controversial-stances-on-gay-rights-abortion-and-smoking-2016-11
Mon, 14 Nov 2016 21:13:00 -0500Chris Walker
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://mic.com/topic/mike-pence"><img style="float:right;" src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/582a326d46e27a1c008b68ca-2400/ap_16274628950472.jpg" alt="mike pence" data-mce-source="Darron Cummings/AP" data-mce-caption="Republican vice presidential candidate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence reacts following a campaign rally, Friday, Sept. 30, 2016, in Fort Wayne, Ind. " data-link="http://www.apimages.com/metadata/Index/APTOPIX-Campaign-2016-Pence/fd671ea501bc4e5e884ae375920c2523/1/1" />Mike Pence</a>, the man that President-Elect <a href="https://mic.com/topic/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a> selected to serve as his vice president, <a href="http://theslot.jezebel.com/get-to-know-mike-pence-and-all-of-the-very-bad-legislat-1783733309">is not without controversy himself</a>.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Pence is considered a <a href="http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/pence-becomes-the-most-far-right-running-mate-modern-history">far-right conservative</a> by many political insiders.</p>
<p dir="ltr">He even <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2016-07-13/mike-pence-s-record-scrutinized-ahead-of-trump-running-mate-decision">challenged John Boehner</a> for his leadership position in Congress in the past because Pence didn't believe Boehner was conservative enough.</p>
<p dir="ltr">On several issues, Pence has rocked the boat with controversy, ranging from gay rights, <a href="https://mic.com/topic/abortion">abortion</a>, and even cigarette smoking.</p>
<h2>Marriage equality and "societal collapse"</h2>
<p dir="ltr">It's no secret that Pence stands against expanding rights for gay and lesbian couples. But his distaste for marriage equality goes even further. While he was in Congress <a href="http://time.com/4406337/mike-pence-gay-rights-lgbt-religious-freedom/">arguing against marriage equality</a>, Pence stated that being gay was a choice, <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=W6gziQydtBwC&amp;pg=PA718&amp;lpg=PA718&amp;dq=societal+collapse+was+always+brought+about+following+an+advent+of+the+deterioration+of+marriage+and+family+pence&amp;source=bl&amp;ots=T_-aKwIV1c&amp;sig=ojHblSb-xuoqhMEqMEtdfpK1G9w&amp;hl=en&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=0ahUKEwiUl-TcjvbNAhWMPj4KHaj8D2kQ6AEIKjAC#v=onepage&amp;q=societal%20collapse%20was%20always%20brought%20about%20following%20an%20advent%20of%20the%20deterioration%20of%20marriage%20and%20family%20pence&amp;f=false">and that</a> "societal collapse was always brought about following an advent of the deterioration of marriage and <a href="https://mic.com/topic/family">family</a>." In short, Pence said that gay and lesbians being able to marry one another would lead to disastrous outcomes in society.</p>
<h2>Pence doesn't think cigarette smoking kills</h2>
<p dir="ltr">As late as the year 2000, Pence denied that smoking could kill you. "Despite the hysteria from the political class and the media, smoking doesn't kill," <a href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/andrewkaczynski/smoking-doesnt-kill-and-other-great-old-op-eds-from-mike-pen?utm_term=.elMJo2QbxP#.muV31vxLkq">he wrote in an op-ed</a> at the time.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Scientists have long known that smoking damages your body, <a href="http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/causes-of-cancer/smoking-and-cancer/smoking-facts-and-evidence">leading to death</a>in many cases. Surgeon General Dr. Luther Terry even wrote as much <a href="https://profiles.nlm.nih.gov/NN/B/B/M/Q/_/nnbbmq.pdf">more than fifty years before</a> Pence's op-ed. Yet it took politicians decades before they acted on the information, relying upon Big Tobacco's data (and donations) instead when making policy decisions. Many political leaders, even to this day, <a href="http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ash-big-tobacco-buys-big-political-influence-174363721.html">still receive big dollar donations from tobacco companies</a>&nbsp;&mdash; including Pence, who has reportedly <a href="https://thinkprogress.org/mike-pence-cigarette-truther-4b89e9304759">received hundreds of thousands of dollars from them</a>.</p>
<h2>Against transgender rights</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Pence's views on <a href="https://mic.com/topic/transgender">transgender</a> Americans shouldn't be all-too surprising either, given his already controversial views on marriage equality. Yet that doesn't make them any less alarming. Pence <a href="http://fox59.com/2016/05/13/indiana-schools-react-to-obama-administrations-directive-on-transgender-access-to-school-bathrooms/">was an early opponent</a> of President <a href="https://mic.com/topic/barack-obama">Barack Obama</a>'s directive mandating that schools allow transgender students to use the restrooms that they identify with. Pence has also indicated that he and President-elect Trump intend to <a href="http://www.christianpost.com/news/mike-pence-james-dobson-trump-birth-control-mandate-transgender-bathroom-170485/">"resolve" the order once they're in office</a>.</p>
<h2><img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/578ae2e288e4a727008b8a91-2400/rtsib1z.jpg" alt="Mike Pence" data-mce-source="REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz" data-mce-caption="Republican U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump (R) applauds and Indiana Governor Mike Pence waves as Pence's daughter Charlotte looks on at a press event held to introduce Pence as Trump's running mate in New York, U.S., July 16, 2016." /></h2>
<h2>Wanted to defund HIV/AIDs funding in favor of "conversion therapy"</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Pence's words on <a href="https://mic.com/topic/lgbtq">LGBTQ</a> issues are controversial enough on their own, but some of his proposals have frightened many within the community as well. During his first run for Congress, Pence suggested that federal money used to fund research on <a href="https://mic.com/topic/hiv">HIV</a>/AIDS <a href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/andrewkaczynski/here-is-mike-pences-questionable-2000-proposal-on-hivaids-fu?utm_term=.wnQmxvW1zV#.tqN40zLwDv">should instead be diverted to programs</a> that "provide assistance to those seeking to change their sexual behavior."</p>
<p dir="ltr">So-called "conversion therapy" is a controversial procedure that attempts to change the sexual preferences of gay and lesbian individuals. It is a practice that <a href="http://www.hrc.org/resources/policy-and-position-statements-on-conversion-therapy">has been called out by the American Psychological Association </a>as having no basis in medical fact, adding there is "insufficient evidence to support the use of psychological interventions to change <a href="https://mic.com/topic/sexual-orientation">sexual orientation</a>." Several states have already <a href="http://www.lgbtmap.org/equality-maps/conversion_therapy">moved to ban the practice</a>.</p>
<h2>Opposed repealing "Don't ask, don't tell"</h2>
<p dir="ltr">During Bill Clinton's presidency, a policy of allowing gay soldiers to serve in the military was implemented. The popular name of the policy, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/event/Dont-Ask-Dont-Tell">"don't ask, don't tell,"</a> referenced the way in which gay and lesbian soldiers would be acclimated &mdash; as long as they didn't say anything, gays and lesbians would be allowed to serve.</p>
<p dir="ltr">In the years following, it became clear that the policy was an unfair practice, a separate-but-unequal way of dealing with the issue. President Obama&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/23/us/politics/23military.html?_r=0">signed legislation repealing the practice</a> in 2011, but it didn't come about without its detractors, and once again Pence had something to say.</p>
<p dir="ltr">In 2010, before "don't ask, don't tell" was ended, Pence warned that Obama should keep the policy in place. Pence <a href="http://www.towleroad.com/2010/11/pence-2/">said the policy</a> had been "a successful compromise" since the 1990s, and that we shouldn't risk the readiness or recruitment of our military in "an effort to advance some liberal domestic social agenda."</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/57f855cc9bd978b7048b5b86-2340/gettyimages-613008184.jpg" alt="Mike Pence" data-mce-source="Jeff Swensen/Getty Images" data-mce-caption="Mike Pence." /></p>
<h2>No women in the military, either</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Pence isn't just against gays and lesbians serving openly in the armed forces &mdash;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/mike-pence-mulan-disney-is-liberal-propaganda-1999-op-ed/">he's also been critical of women serving</a>. In the late <a href="https://mic.com/topic/90s">90s</a>, before he was in Congress, Pence argued that "the hard truth of our experiment with gender integration [in the military] is that is has been an almost complete disaster for the military and for many of the individual women involved."</p>
<p dir="ltr">He even challenged institutions for suggesting otherwise, including some pretty harsh criticism aimed at Disney's animated feature Mulan. "I suspect that some mischievous liberal at Disney assumes that Mulan's story will cause a quiet change in the next generation's attitude about women in combat," <a href="http://www.refinery29.com/2016/07/117092/mulan-women-in-the-military-mike-pence">he wrote</a>, "and they just might be right."</p>
<h2>Fought against Planned Parenthood and reproductive rights</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Most conservative leaders <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2016/07/republicans-abortion-platform-225391">are against any funding to Planned Parenthood</a>, the organization that aims to assist men and women across the country with reproductive health services, including abortion. But Pence took it to another level entirely.</p>
<p dir="ltr">When Republicans took back Congress after the 2010 Tea Party wave, Congressman Pence authored a bill to defund <a href="https://mic.com/topic/planned-parenthood">Planned Parenthood</a>, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/18/us/politics/18parenthood.html">completely removing all federal funding from the group</a>. Pence was even willing to take extreme measures in getting it passed. When asked if he'd be go as far as to shut down government over it, <a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/04/08/964824/-GOP-congressman-vows-shutdown-unless-Planned-Parenthood-defunded">Pence responded in the affirmative</a>: "Of course I am."</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/551af1f66bb3f7f72553d8cb-2400/rtr2cnr5-1.jpg" alt="RTR2CNR5" data-mce-source="Reuters/Sean Gardner" data-mce-caption="Indiana Gov. Mike Pence (R)." /></p>
<h2>Tried to redefine rape</h2>
<p dir="ltr">In another attempt to make abortion less accessible, Pence authored a law that tried to limit how and when federal funds for the practice could be used. Under federal law, the only exceptions for which abortion can be performed with federal funds <a href="https://www.aclu.org/other/public-funding-abortion">is in case of rape or incest</a>. So Pence <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/31/AR2011013105755.html">attempted to change the definition of rape</a> to include only what he described as "forcible rape."</p>
<p dir="ltr">That definition meant that federal dollars couldn't fund abortions in other instances of rape (for example, where a victim is drugged). <a href="https://www.thenation.com/article/mike-pence-is-a-smooth-talking-todd-akin/">Many called Pence out for this action</a>, and the measure was later dropped.</p>
<h2>Religious Freedom Restoration Act</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Mike Pence gained notoriety in 2015 <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/01/indiana-religious-freedom_n_6984156.html">for signing the Religious Freedom Restoration Act into law</a>. The law made it possible for businesses within the state of Indiana to discriminate against members of the LGBTQ community based on their personal religious beliefs.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Pence did his best to label the law as defending religious freedom. "The Constitution of the United States and the Indiana Constitution both provide strong recognition of the freedom of religion but today, many people of faith feel their religious liberty is under attack by government action," <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/26/indiana-governor-mike-pence-anti-gay-bill_n_6947472.html">Pence said when he signed the bill</a>.</p>
<p dir="ltr">But detractors weren't convinced. The law brought calls for boycotts on products from Indiana, and <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/mike-pence-religious-freedom-law-indiana_us_57c839b9e4b0a22de09446d8">continues to be a problem for the state today</a>.</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/mike-pences-most-controversial-stances-on-gay-rights-abortion-and-smoking-2016-11#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/why-boeing-747-front-hump-2016-11">Here's why Boeing 747s have a giant hump in the front</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/planned-parenthood-get-donations-in-mike-pences-name-2016-11Why Planned Parenthood is getting a bunch of donations in Mike Pence's namehttp://www.businessinsider.com/planned-parenthood-get-donations-in-mike-pences-name-2016-11
Mon, 14 Nov 2016 20:06:00 -0500Carla Javier
<p><span><img style="float:right;" src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/582a2d1446e27af2008b68b3-2400/rtx2sf5i.jpg" alt="Mike Pence" data-mce-source="Carlo Allegri/Reuters" data-mce-caption="Mike Pence">It’s been a tough year to be a </span><a href="http://fusion.net/story/368213/donald-trump-hillary-clinton-america-hates-women/"><span>woman in America</span></a><span>. </span></p>
<p><span>Not only did the first female major-party nominee for president lose to a man who’s </span><span><a href="http://fusion.net/story/355475/donald-trump-women-leaked-audio-washington-post/">bragged</a> </span><span>about sexual assault, but we also get a vice president-elect with a track </span><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/think-trump-is-scary-check-out-mike-pence-on-the-issues_us_57f137d5e4b095bd896a11db"><span>record</span></a><span> of shutting down reproductive rights by banning abortions in almost all cases, and forcing many Planned Parenthood clinics to close in his home state of Indiana.</span></p>
<p><span>To take back their rights, many women have donated to various causes, </span><a href="http://nymag.com/thecut/2016/11/how-to-donate-to-planned-parenthood-and-other-charities.html"><span>including</span></a><span> the health-services provider. </span></p>
<p><span>But in an added twist, they aren’t just giving money—they’re also doing it in the name of a man who has actively fought to defund Planned Parenthood: Vice President-elect Mike Pence.</span></p>
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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://instagram.com/p/BMrzPhHBdKM/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">You should donate no matter what but omg this is genius ✊🏼❤️ (Ya'll this doesn't give anyone a tax deduction but yourself. It's simply a gift in someone's name.)</a>
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<time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2016-11-11T21:08:05+00:00">Nov 11, 2016 at 1:08pm PST</time></p>
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Just donated to Planned Parenthood in Mike Pence's name, it's easy &amp; a certificate will be sent to his office: <a href="https://t.co/GJx3GdyBZl">pic.twitter.com/GJx3GdyBZl</a> </p>— Gabrielle Moss (@Gaby_Moss) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/797306877617012736">November 12, 2016</a>
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<p><span>Women are sharing Pence’s office address in Indiana via social media, and encouraging fellow donors to make their gifts in his honor. </span></p>
<p><span>As a result, the vice president-elect’s office will receive mail that notifies him about every donation made in his name to the organization he’s worked </span><a href="http://fusion.net/story/303104/planned-parenthood-is-building-an-army-to-prepare-for-the-2016-election/"><span>tirelessly</span></a><span> to defeat (</span><em><span>Politico</span></em><span> has called Pence a </span><a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2011/02/pences-war-on-planned-parenthood-049609"><span>“one-man crusade”</span></a><span> against Planned Parenthood.)</span></p>
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<span>“</span><span>Every time you make a donation on behalf of Mike Pence to Planned Parenthood, an angel gets its wings,” one Twitter user </span><a href="https://twitter.com/kittiebittie91/status/797628424185647108?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"><span>wrote</span></a><span>.</span>
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<p><span>Celebrities have joined in on the trend, too. Comedian </span><span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BMuN3BrjRuG/?taken-by=amyschumer">Amy Schumer</a> </span><span>and actor </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BMt97NoDk2C/?taken-by=amberrosetamblyn&amp;hl=en"><span>Amber Tamblyn</span></a><span> shared Pence’s address on Instagram, encouraging fans to follow suit.</span></p>
<p><span>Planned Parenthood </span><a href="https://twitter.com/PPact/status/797530156013383683?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"><span>tweeted</span></a><span> over the weekend that it was “blown away” by the recent support, and said many donations have been made in both Pence’s and Hillary Clinton’s names.</span></p>
<p><span>“</span><span>Planned Parenthood has been here for 100 years, and one thing is clear: We will never back down and we will never stop fighting to ensure that Planned Parenthood patients have access to the care they need,” Planned Parenthood </span><a href="https://www.plannedparenthood.org/about-us/newsroom/press-releases/planned-parenthood-federation-of-americas-statement-on-donald-trumps-election-as-next-president-of-the-united-states"><span>said</span></a><span> in a statement published the day after the election last week. “Health care should not be political.”</span></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/planned-parenthood-get-donations-in-mike-pences-name-2016-11#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/dermatologist-best-way-wash-your-face-2016-11">The 3 worst things you do when you wash your face — according to a dermatologist</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/r-trump-win-fuels-donations-iud-demand-at-planned-parenthood-2016-11Planned Parenthood sees a sharp spike in donations and contraception demand after Trump's victoryhttp://www.businessinsider.com/r-trump-win-fuels-donations-iud-demand-at-planned-parenthood-2016-11
Sat, 12 Nov 2016 17:25:00 -0500Jilian Mincer and David Ingram
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/57757dec5124c93456b0904a-450-300/federal-judge-blocks-indiana-abortion-law.jpg" alt="Planned Parenthood South Austin Health Center is seen in Austin, Texas, U.S. June 27, 2016. REUTERS/Ilana Panich-Linsman" border="0" /></p><p>NEW YORK (Reuters) - Planned Parenthood is reporting a spike in donations and demand for long-acting contraceptives since Donald Trump's election as U.S. president while abortion foes hope to gain momentum in their quest to cut public funding to the women's health organization.</p>
<p>Officials with Planned Parenthood said its patrons are worried about the impact of a Trump presidency on access to abortions and birth control in the United States.</p>
<p>Planned Parenthood, which draws the ire of many Republicans because it provides abortions, is bracing for one of the toughest battles in its 100-year history. It has about 650 health centers nationwide and relies on public funding for about half of its revenue, much of it from the Medicaid health insurance program for the poor.</p>
<p>With Trump winning Tuesday's election and Republicans maintaining their control of Congress, it could be easier for lawmakers to cut funding to Planned Parenthood and dismantle outgoing President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare, that mandates insurance coverage for contraceptives.</p>
<p>"There have been attempts the last two years to defund them, and we will do anything we can to defund them," said Carol Tobias, president of the National Right to Life Committee, which opposes abortion. "I am very optimistic."</p>
<p>Since the election, the Planned Parenthood Federation of America said it has received nearly 80,000 new donations nationwide, although it did not disclose the money amount.</p>
<p>Planned Parenthood of Illinois said online appointments for long-acting contraceptives like IUDs, or intrauterine devices, rose nearly 50 percent in the past two days compared to the same period last week. It said it plans to increase the number of available appointments to meet demand.</p>
<p>"We have been overwhelmed by community members making donations and contacting us to offer to volunteer and provide support," said Sarah Wheat, spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas, where successive Republican governors have cut funding to the organization.</p>
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/57461e5852bcd023008c535e-2400/rts8ym7.jpg" alt="abortion rights protest texas" data-mce-source="Reuters/Kevin Lamarque" data-mce-caption="Protesters demonstrate in front of the U.S. Supreme Court in the morning as the court takes up a major abortion case focusing on whether a Texas law that imposes strict regulations on abortion doctors and clinic buildings interferes with the constitutional right of a woman to end her pregnancy, in Washington March 2, 2016." /></p>
<p>Online donations to the Texas affiliate tripled on Wednesday compared to the previous week, while 125 people have contacted the group to volunteer to help, Wheat said.</p>
<p>Long a target of protest, and sometimes violence, by groups that oppose abortion on religious grounds, Planned Parenthood has in recent years worked to broaden its health services for women and men.</p>
<h2>Mixed signals</h2>
<p>Trump has sent mixed signals about abortion, saying in March that women who end pregnancies should face punishment. He later backtracked on his remarks.</p>
<p>On Wednesday, his team said the new Trump administration would "protect innocent human life from conception to natural death," without elaborating.</p>
<p>Indiana Governor Mike Pence, Trump's vice presidential running mate and the head of his transition team, is a strident opponent of abortion. Pence has pushed Congress to defund Planned Parenthood and signed a state law mandating that a fetus be buried or cremated after an abortion.</p>
<p>Trump has also vowed to repeal and replace Obamacare, although he was quoted by the Wall Street Journal on Friday as saying he would consider saving some provisions.</p>
<p>The law required for the first time that insurers cover the cost of many forms of birth control for women.</p>
<p>While it is not clear yet how Trump will proceed with his pledge, some patients want to ensure they have a contraceptives plan in place, Planned Parenthood officials said.</p>
<p>"They really have some concerns about the threats to the Affordable Care Act and the coverage for these services," said Katie Thiede, the vice president of development for Planned Parenthood of Illinois.</p>
<p>The affiliate said demand for permanent sterilization climbed 57 percent over the past week.</p>
<p>If Obamacare were to be repealed, an estimated 55 million women could lose access to no-copay preventive services including birth control, screenings for sexually transmitted infections, Pap tests and cancer screenings, according to government figures.</p>
<p>Other challenges could come through court appointments, or through changes in funding rules for Medicaid.</p>
<p>In the longer term, abortion rights advocates have expressed concern that Trump could appoint conservative justices to the U.S. Supreme Court who could overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that legalized abortion nationwide.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>(Reporting by Jilian Mincer and David Ingram; Editing by Will Dunham)</p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/donald-trumps-debate-abortion-claim-is-wrong-2016-10" >Donald Trump’s claim that you can ‘rip the baby out of the womb’ is dangerously wrong</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/r-trump-win-fuels-donations-iud-demand-at-planned-parenthood-2016-11#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-cook-scrambled-eggs-anthony-bourdain-2016-11">The best way to cook scrambled eggs — according to Anthony Bourdain</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/women-could-go-for-uber-for-birth-control-if-obamacare-is-repealed-2016-11A startup known as the 'Uber for birth control' could give women access to contraception if Obamacare is repealedhttp://www.businessinsider.com/women-could-go-for-uber-for-birth-control-if-obamacare-is-repealed-2016-11
Fri, 11 Nov 2016 22:07:00 -0500Melanie Ehrenkranz
<p dir="ltr"><img style="float:right;" src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/58263ee5691e888b588b5ebe-2400/ap_16168740740599.jpg" alt="Margot Riphagen of New Orleans, La., wears a birth control pills costume during a protest in front of the U.S. Supreme Court." data-mce-source="Charles Dharapak/AP Photo" data-mce-caption="Margot Riphagen of New Orleans, La., wears a birth control pills costume during a protest in front of the U.S. Supreme Court." /></p><p>In two months,&nbsp;<a href="https://mic.com/topic/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;and Mike Pence &mdash; a man whose legacy includes&nbsp;<a href="https://mic.com/articles/159016/does-a-donald-trump-presidency-mean-the-end-of-abortion#.NqVpMng9k">attempts to take down&nbsp;</a>Planned Parenthood&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/mike-pence-reproductive-rights-abortion_us_5787cc73e4b0867123e036a1">redefine rape</a>&nbsp;&mdash; will become the country's most powerful representatives<span data-editor-comment-id="3b24264f-46c1-4955-94e8-4acca67c1cbe">&nbsp;</span>of women's health.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Their imminent power over women's bodies has prompted some to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.marketwatch.com/story/fearing-changes-under-president-elect-trump-women-are-getting-iuds-and-stockpiling-plan-b-2016-11-10">stock up</a>on Plan B&nbsp;and <a href="https://twitter.com/brosandprose/status/796448677854330885">get an IUD</a> before the inauguration, afraid of reduced access to contraception if Trump <a href="https://mic.com/articles/159016/does-a-donald-trump-presidency-mean-the-end-of-abortion#.NqVpMng9k">repeals the Affordable Care Act</a>, as he's promised to.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Women are right to be concerned &mdash; <span data-editor-comment-id="2e54f74f-c7a5-49a5-910c-ae8a1812f484">there's a lot at stak</span>e. Losing Obamacare could mean no more free IUDs and even less access to affordable birth control. Millions will lack the resources to prevent pregnancy and STDs.</p>
<p dir="ltr">But there may be a solution for accessible reproductive health care in the Trump era: an app.</p>
<p dir="ltr">A company called&nbsp;<a href="http://fusion.net/story/256143/nurx-is-making-birth-control-on-demand/">Nurx</a>&nbsp;provides&nbsp;birth control prescriptions, emergency contraception and <a href="https://mic.com/topic/hiv">HIV</a>-prevention drugs. It's been called the Uber for birth control, as it delivers on-demand care through the postal system. It offers two-day delivery, it's free with insurance and <a href="http://hellogiggles.com/nurx-uber-birth-control/">as low as $15 per month </a>without it. This ease of access and affordability is especially critical in areas where Planned Parenthoods aren't accessible, where sex&nbsp;education is dismal and where<strong>&nbsp;</strong>doctors and guardians may shame women into believing that birth control is a sign of unacceptable sexual promiscuity.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">If Nurx succeeds in making access to birth control as easy as hailing a car, it's a sign that an emerging industry of health-care apps could become a beacon of hope in Trump's America.</p>
<h2>Telemedicine could be the future of women's health.</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Nurx's interface is simple: You choose a contraceptive plan, answer a few personal and medical questions, enter your insurance information or pay without, and Nurx will deliver up to three months of your prescription.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">It's part of one of many new services that bring health care to your door. The new industry is called telemedicine, and it includes apps like Sherpaa, Teladoc and Azivia.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Telemedicine's backers see huge potential for developments like <a href="http://www.modernhealthcare.com/article/20160713/NEWS/160719959">streamlining</a>the patient care process and more convenient, accessible services.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/56f21ccb9105842b008b825e-907/2713580189_ff89c28b44_b.jpg" alt="Birth control" data-mce-source="flickr/nateone" data-link="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nateone/2713580189/sizes/l/in/photostream/" /></p>
<p dir="ltr">Nurx has <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2016/11/03/on-demand-birth-control-delivery-startup-nurx-raises-5-3-million-from-union-square-ventures/">$5.3 million</a> in new funding and ambitious plans to expand nationwide.&nbsp;Nurx will be imminently launching in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Missouri &mdash; all red states. On the blue-state side, they will be launching "soon" in Virginia and Illinois. A little after that, Florida.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Similar services, like&nbsp;</span><a href="http://fusion.net/story/256143/nurx-is-making-birth-control-on-demand/">Maven and Lemonaid</a><span>,&nbsp;let women bypass a doctor's visit and offer them an affordable and accessible pathway to contraception. Will they survive a Trump administration?</span></p>
<h2>Nurx's founders fear for women's safety under Trump &mdash; but they're confident their service won't be jeopardized.</h2>
<p dir="ltr">A&nbsp;Trump administration could empower individuals to shame women into behaving as they see morally fit &mdash; and those individuals include doctors, according to&nbsp;Nurx CEO Hans Gangeskar.</p>
<p dir="ltr">"I think the most relevant aspect there is actually the move in the public sentiment that you get when someone like him as misogynistic and just nasty and mean to women leads the tone on big swathes of public debate," said Gangeskar, referring to Trump. "That sentiment is reflected in other parts of the population and people feel empowered to reflect that sentiment in their lives. We get users coming to us, we get young women coming to us saying, I talked to my doctor about birth control and my doctor said I shouldn't be having&nbsp;<a href="https://mic.com/topic/sex">sex</a>."</p>
<p dir="ltr">In the event that a Trump administration repeals the ACA, Nurx's users who get free birth control with insurance would be affected. But where Nurx is immune to the repeal is in its affordable options without insurance, and its ability to bypass logistical obstacles. Contraception could still be delivered to your doorstep.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Since the service isn't subject to regulatory approval, Nurx just needs to make sure it complies with the rules within each state. It also needs to recruit providers and pharmacies that comply with those laws.</p>
<h2>Users are begging Nurx for help &mdash; a terrifying sign that this country needs better women's health care.</h2>
<p><img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/559acceceab8ea0e427254ad-1024/iud-1.jpg" alt="iud birth control" data-mce-source="Liz Henry/flickr" data-link="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lizhenry/97224802/in/photolist-9AixG-bry4ux-5ZQpFS-8ge2ti-8f9FzL-8PduAS-9JmkKy-bmJYuM-4M2DR4-9dRGVj-dvjU6B-pf3F2-8f6pir-fGwxdu-8YaubV-78tmTr-8CfmWL-2BG9D5-dNEvZb-8WeKo9-apcSwR-bwdr1d-bvz12v-9AiBA-bwdj3y-5eNxQ6-bwdnBL-nYAQS7-9Aiya-hpcqeB-hpbe2E-hpb6cd-hpbfL1-hpaTEp-bJrEm4-bC3yWR-9aSowg-4VRHwC-e35Axt-bwdjhA-bK85dp-bwdnib-bK7ZpF-bxtT5D-9k7q4N-bK7YFr-bwddi7-bwddKJ-4PoEB8-bwdd1u" /></p>
<p dir="ltr">Nurx sent&nbsp;<em>Mic</em>&nbsp;some of the emails it received from women. The letters&nbsp;mark a lack of easy access to birth control and a lack of proper sexual education.</p>
<p>"I was hoping for some information regarding sexual health and birth control," a woman from Indiana, Mike Pence's home state, emailed Nurx.</p>
<blockquote>I feel like I don't know nearly enough about my body and taking care of it as I should. I went to a Catholic high school and my parents are fairly religious so I know what they have to say on the topic of&nbsp;sex&nbsp;and contraception. However, I do not hold the same beliefs and want to know more concerning sexual health and care. I don't really know what specific questions I should be asking yet and hope you can help. I have just become sexually active and am considering birth control to prevent pregnancy. I've never been on birth control pills before and am concerned about the side effects.</blockquote>
<p dir="ltr">"Sick and tired of this government trying to shut down clinics that educate and inform women on their options for contraceptives," a woman who currently uses the app in California wrote.&nbsp;</p>
<blockquote>The same people who are against these clinics are the ones who complain about people living off the government and have [millions] of babies. you can't win in America. This is a step in the right direction, not everyone has the time or the finical help to go a doctor for something as simple as birth control. We are in 2016, I shouldn't have to wait three hours and get a prescription every three months for MY BIRTH CONTROL.</blockquote>
<p dir="ltr">"Hi unfortunately I signed up only to find that you guys do not help women in Florida... so the search continues," a woman in Florida emailed Nurx.&nbsp;</p>
<blockquote>I am currently seeing my local health department here and over the past couple of months each time I go in there I get treated worse and worse, to the point that I break down into tears now just walking up to the building... one doctor there told me to stop spreading my legs to every dick that comes near me... I am not like that. I believe in monogamous relationships but wish to be on birth control for the regularity aspects and to not have an unplanned pregnancy. I hope soon that you guys will help women in Florida.</blockquote>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/5826400f691e8804018b6642-2000/nurx pill-2.jpg" alt="Nurx Pill 2" data-mce-source="Hollis Johnson" /></p>
<p dir="ltr">"PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD HELP THESE GIRLS IN THE BIBLE BELT!" a woman in Arkansas wrote.&nbsp;</p>
<blockquote>Had a friend who would have such terrible cycles that she would miss school but was told if she was saving herself for marriage she should see the OBGYN after she got married. Took her myself to a clinic only to find out she has cysts and is pretty much infertile because they didn't find it sooner. She's on BC now thank goodness. Places like Arkansas could really benefit from this type of service.</blockquote>
<p dir="ltr">"This is amazing, but I live in the South so I'm still screwed," a woman in Mississippi wrote. "Still an amazing idea and I thank you for all the ones you've helped so far."</p>
<blockquote>I can't wait until your service is available in Texas so that I can utilize it! I think it's just crazy that we can't purchase birth control over the counter, or at least be able to get a one-year prescription at a time, instead of me having to go to the doctor every three months for a prescription. The doctors I have spoken to here in Texas say that they cannot write me a three-month prescription.</blockquote>
<p dir="ltr">As is clear in the aforementioned messages, women are already struggling to get their hands on birth control without feeling shamed or disadvantaged.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">"When the public debate is where it is, I think people on an individual level feel more empowered to behave like that toward their patients that they have duties to," Gangeskar said. "That kind of nastiness and that kind of misogyny and overbearingness can grow in the kind of public environment that Mr. Trump has created."</p>
<p dir="ltr">A Trump administration will undoubtedly make the battle for easy&nbsp;access to birth control an uphill one, but as is evident in Nurx's unyielding push into even the most conservative states, it's not an impossible one.&nbsp;</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/women-could-go-for-uber-for-birth-control-if-obamacare-is-repealed-2016-11#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/preauricular-sinus-small-hole-above-ear-2016-11">Here's why some people have a tiny hole above their ears</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/planned-parenthood-receives-support-after-trumps-election-2016-11Planned Parenthood receives 'outpouring of support' after Trump's electionhttp://www.businessinsider.com/planned-parenthood-receives-support-after-trumps-election-2016-11
Fri, 11 Nov 2016 19:22:00 -0500Olivia Becker
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/56f9a1a6910584145c8b9019-2400/rts6q61.jpg" alt="texas planned parenthood" data-mce-source="Reuters/Delcia Lopez" data-mce-caption="Celena Pollock, a PA AT University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, helps at the Nuestra Clinica del Valle in San Juan, Texas, Sept. 22, 2015"></p><p>In the hours after Donald Trump won the U.S. presidential election, anecdotal evidence pointed to a surge of support for an organization that will likely find itself the target of a Trump administration: Planned Parenthood.</p>
<p>And sure enough, the nonprofit has seen an “outpouring of support” from both longtime and first-time donors since Hillary Clinton conceded the election, a spokesperson for the organization told VICE News. Besides cash donations, volunteer signups and phone calls have also come pouring in.</p>
<p>Kaitlyn Buchler, a 23-year-old Clinton supporter, said it was hard not to feel “hopeless” after Tuesday’s results. But she decided to set up a monthly recurring donation of $5 to Planned Parenthood as a way of showing her support.</p>
<p>“As a young woman, I’m feeling very vulnerable today,” Buchler said. “I’m truly fearful of what a Trump presidency will mean for women’s reproductive rights.”</p>
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Maybe if you're feeling helpless, donate to Planned Parenthood who are the opposite of what Trump stands for: <a href="https://t.co/kwJVZJW5XS">https://t.co/kwJVZJW5XS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PPact">@PPact</a> </p>— Anne T. Donahue (@annetdonahue) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/796197849264484353">November 9, 2016</a>
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<p> <span>Buchler, like many others who reacted to the results of Election Day by giving to the women’s health organization, was troubled by what a Trump administration would mean for reproductive rights. Trump’s running mate, Mike Pence, has been a vocal opponent of abortion and reproductive rights. </span></p>
<p><span>As governor of Indiana, he led the charge to shut down Planned Parenthood clinics across the state and signed into law a ban on abortions for fetuses with Down Syndrome and other medical conditions. The law also made the transfer or collection of fetal tissue a felony and forced women to hear an ultrasound of the fetus before they were allowed an abortion.</span></p>
<p><span>The measure was so controversial, even some pro-life Republicans </span><a href="http://www.cosmopolitan.com/politics/news/a55037/indiana-abortion-bill-ban/"><span>spoke out against it</span></a><span>.</span></p>
<p><span>Pence has been unapologetic about his anti-abortion stance. In a Trump administration, “we’ll see <em>Roe v. Wade</em> consigned to the ash heap of history where it belongs,” Pence </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AILoMt8poYo"><span>vowed</span></a><span> in September.</span></p>
<p><span>Liz Estey, another 23-year-old Clinton supporter, donated $25 to Planned Parenthood for the first time Wednesday. She is disappointed her candidate lost but said Trump’s election was even more painful for her because of “the symbolic statement it makes to women in this country.”</span></p>
<p><span>“It’s unfathomable to me that so many people in this country can’t see or don’t care how Trump treats women,” Estey said. “I’m sad, angry, disappointed, but above all else I feel betrayed.”</span></p>
<p><span>Over the course of his unprecedented campaign, Trump vowed to appoint Supreme Court justices who would overturn the 1973 <em>Roe v. Wade</em> decision, said he would punish women who get abortions, and made the phrase “grab them by the pussy” one of the more memorable sound bites of this year after a leaked 2005 tape caught him saying he can grope women because he’s a celebrity. </span></p>
<p><span><img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/5697fd2d5124c9a5678b4567-800/planned-parenthood-files-lawsuit-against-group-behind-secret-videos.jpg" alt="People walk past a Planned Parenthood clinic in the Manhattan borough of New York, November 28, 2015. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly " data-mce-source="Thomson Reuters" data-mce-caption="People walk past a Planned Parenthood clinic in the Manhattan borough of New York"></span></p>
<p><span>Women who donated to Planned Parenthood in the wake of Trump’s election said they needed to do something to address a sense of panic or hopelessness.</span></p>
<p><span>“I seriously woke up this morning in a daze and feeling very worried about what it means to be a woman in this country,” said 24-year-old Chelsea Beeler, who donated $20 to Planned Parenthood Wednesday morning. She added that she plans on making a heftier donation as soon as she gets paid next week.</span></p>
<p><span>Planned Parenthood CEO Cecile Richards responded to Trump’s victory by reassuring people that the organization would continue its mission.</span></p>
<p><span>“There are almost no words to capture the threat that this election result poses to our democracy, to our economic security, to access to reproductive health care, and most especially to the safety and dignity of people of color,” Richards said in a statement. “We will never back down and we will never stop fighting to ensure that Planned Parenthood patients have access to the care they need.”</span></p>
<p><span>New Yorker Ryan Sloan gave $35 — his first time donating to the organization — because, he says, it’s clear Pence wants to defund it.</span></p>
<p><span>“I want them to be able to keep doing what they do,” Sloan said. “From a selfish standpoint, it feels good to be doing something.”</span></p>
<p><span>Other donations have been more high-profile. Rapper El-P from the group Run the Jewels said he gave $5,000 to Planned Parenthood on Wednesday.</span></p>
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and i dont know how to fight whats coming but i just donated 5k to planned parenthood. maybe thats part of it. </p>— el-p (@therealelp) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/796397697179746304">November 9, 2016</a>
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<p> <span>“i was taught to do that if you can and you dont publicize it or draw attention to it,” he wrote on Twitter. “But today im thinking of my mom, sisters and nieces.”</span></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/planned-parenthood-receives-support-after-trumps-election-2016-11#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-cook-scrambled-eggs-anthony-bourdain-2016-11">The best way to cook scrambled eggs — according to Anthony Bourdain</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/planned-parenthood-trending-trump-presidency-2016-11People are panicking about the fate of America's largest reproductive healthcare providerhttp://www.businessinsider.com/planned-parenthood-trending-trump-presidency-2016-11
Wed, 09 Nov 2016 16:30:00 -0500Leanna Garfield
<p><img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/56f9a19c910584716f8b9009-2400/rts6q61.jpg" alt="texas planned parenthood" data-mce-source="Reuters/Delcia Lopez" data-mce-caption="Celena Pollock, a PA AT University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, helps at the Nuestra Clinica del Valle in San Juan, Texas, Sept. 22, 2015"></p><p>To the surprise of many, Donald Trump <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/election-results-live-blog-2016-11">became</a> America's president-elect early Wednesday morning.</p>
<p>Now, many women are worried <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/trump-could-be-a-threat-to-the-iud-2016-11">they will lose access to health services</a> like birth control, <span>breast and cervical-cancer screenings</span>, support after sexual assault, and abortion. </p>
<p><a href="https://www.plannedparenthood.org/">Planned Parenthood</a> is the largest reproductive healthcare nonprofit in the US, and some fear Trump's presidency will put it at risk of imminent closure.</p>
<p>The organization's operating budget comes from a combination of private donations and federal funds. <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/08/04/how-planned-parenthood-actually-uses-its-federal-funding/">According to</a> The Washington Post, Planned Parenthood's most recent <a href="http://plannedparenthood.org/about-us/annual-report">annual report</a> and <a href="http://990s.foundationcenter.org/990_pdf_archive/131/131644147/131644147_201406_990.pdf?_ga=1.163667257.78786081.1438706948">IRS info</a> state that it received <span>$528.4 million in federal funds for the fiscal year that ended in June 2014. Trump and Pence <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/donald-trump-abortion-womens-health-platforms-positions-2016-11">stated</a> on the campaign trail that they hope to reduce or eliminate this funding.</span></p>
<p>On Wednesday afternoon, Planned Parenthood started <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%22Planned%20Parenthood%22&amp;src=tren">trending</a> on Twitter with over 70,000 tweets.</p>
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I'm going to lose my health insurance, then planned parenthood will close, then I will be a doctor without access to healthcare <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/nastywomen?src=hash">#nastywomen</a> </p>— Jaelle Bacon (@Gutterphenomena) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/796425166255509504">November 9, 2016</a>
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Top 3 answers in order:<br><br>1. Repeal and replace Obamacare<br>2. Replace Scalia with another originalist<br>3. Defund Planned Parenthood </p>— Eric Teetsel (@EricTeetsel) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/796237120272732161">November 9, 2016</a>
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<p>Many referenced its homepage, which features an exterior photo of a Planned Parenthood location. "These doors stay open," it reads.</p>
<p><span>Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, assures the public that it's true.</span></p>
<p>"<span>Every morning, Planned Parenthood health center staff across the country wake up and open their doors, as they have this morning, to care for anyone who needs them, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, income, or country of origin," she <a href="https://www.plannedparenthood.org/about-us/newsroom/press-releases/planned-parenthood-federation-of-americas-statement-on-donald-trumps-election-as-next-president-of-the-united-states">said</a> in a press release. "They will do so today, they will do so tomorrow, they will do so every day <span>as they have for 100 years."</span></span></p>
<p><img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/582383b846e27a18048b5c6a-800/screen%20shot%202016-11-09%20at%203.13.47%20pm.png" alt="Planned Parenthood" data-mce-source="Planned Parenthood"></p>
<p>But many people on Twitter are worried nonetheless. And the<span><span> fear that Planned Parenthood could lose at least part of its funding is justified.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span>As Mother Jones <a href="http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/09/donald-trump-tries-yet-again-convince-anti-abortion-voters-he-real">noted</a>, Trump has vowed to block access to abortion facilities, <span>except </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzGrSYWAkxg&amp;feature=youtu.be">in cases of rape, incest</a><span>, or when the mother's health is at risk. </span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span>In September, he pledged to appoint anti-abortion Supreme Court justices, defund Planned Parenthood, and pass the <a href="https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/issues/abortion/20-week-bans">20-week abortion ban</a> that </span><a href="http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/03/20-week-ban-senate-hearing-abortion" target="_blank">stalled in the Senate</a> last year<span>. </span></span></span></span></p>
<p>These movements would effectively turn over Roe vs. Wade — the monumental 1973 Supreme Court decision that made abortion legal. Plus, if Trump succeeds in overturning the Affordable Care Act, as he has promised to do, millions of women could also lose access to affordable birth control. </p>
<p>Of course, abortion services make up a small portion of the work Planned Parenthood does — the organization also offers routine mammograms, education about and treatment for STDs, checkups for expectant mothers, sexual health services for men, and support for victims of sexual assault.</p>
<p>Because of that, many people, including comedian and TV host Samantha Bee, are donating to the nonprofit today and encouraging others to do the same.</p>
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So yeah... Today might be a good day to donate to Planned Parenthood, the ACLU &amp; any number of other suddenly VERY important organizations. </p>— Wilson Bethel (@WilsonBethel) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/796366778561658880">November 9, 2016</a>
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Nasty Women raised almost $130,000 for Planned Parenthood so far! You've got one week left to prove you're nasty. <a href="https://t.co/jdlEvXlcM5">https://t.co/jdlEvXlcM5</a> <a href="https://t.co/vZXvNEjIJR">pic.twitter.com/vZXvNEjIJR</a> </p>— Full Frontal (@FullFrontalSamB) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/795807808151121921">November 8, 2016</a>
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I donated to Planned Parenthood. You can too <a href="https://t.co/LfBnzXG5ty">https://t.co/LfBnzXG5ty</a> </p>— Michelle Wolf (@michelleisawolf) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/796386645285203968">November 9, 2016</a>
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<p>Planned Parenthood maintains that it will never go down without a fight.</p>
<p>"<span>Planned Parenthood has been here for 100 years, and one thing is clear: We will never back down and we will never stop fighting to ensure that Planned Parenthood patients have access to the care they need, people who come from communities that need our continued support in this new reality – immigrants, people of color, the LGBTQ community, people of faith, and more," Richards <a href="https://www.plannedparenthood.org/about-us/newsroom/press-releases/planned-parenthood-federation-of-americas-statement-on-donald-trumps-election-as-next-president-of-the-united-states">said</a>. "Health care should not be political."</span> </p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/donald-trump-abortion-womens-health-platforms-positions-2016-11" >Here's where Trump stands on abortion and other women's health issues</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/planned-parenthood-trending-trump-presidency-2016-11#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/hillary-clinton-inspiring-message-young-women-concession-speech-election-donald-trump-2016-11">Hillary Clinton had a powerful message for young women after losing to Trump</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/fox-commenter-sentenced-planned-parenthood-threat-2016-10Fox commenter was sentenced to prison for threatening to kill staffers at a Planned Parenthood-affiliated companyhttp://www.businessinsider.com/fox-commenter-sentenced-planned-parenthood-threat-2016-10
Thu, 06 Oct 2016 19:02:00 -0400Allegra Kirkland
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<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/55bffee8371d22a10e8bc52c-2400/rtx1mwhu.jpg" alt="planned parenthood abortion protest" data-mce-source="REUTERS/Mike Blake" data-mce-caption="Protesters gather outside a Planned Parenthood clinic in Vista, California August 3, 2015." /></p>
<p>A Washington state man on Tuesday was sentenced to one year and one day in prison for posting <a href="http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/fox-nation-stem-express-threats">threats</a> to kill staffers at a company formerly affiliated with Planned Parenthood on Fox Nation.</p>
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<p>Scott Anthony Orton, who made the threats under the username &ldquo;Joseywhales,&rdquo; posted comments on the site in July 2015 about his intention to travel to Placerville, California to kill managers at StemExpress LLC, a biotech firm that was involved in the health provider&rsquo;s fetal tissue donation program.</p>
<p>The company was mentioned by Planned Parenthood officials in the &ldquo;sting&rdquo; videos secretly recorded by anti-abortion activists that prompted congressional Republicans to call for the defunding of Planned Parenthood in summer 2015.</p>
<p>Orton was charged with transmitting interstate threats, according to the Justice Department.</p>
<p>&ldquo;Orton made explicit, public statements expressing his intent to kill the victim,&rdquo; acting U.S. Attorney Philip Talbert said in a <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-edca/pr/washington-man-sentenced-sending-threats-placerville-company">DOJ press release</a>. &ldquo;His conduct caused the victim to fear for her life and the lives of her family members and colleagues. The sentence imposed by the court recognizes the seriousness of his offense and should act as a deterrent to similar conduct.&rdquo;</p>
<p><img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/57f6ac3357540c8d728b4631-2400/rtr3w6ve.jpg" alt="RTR3W6VE" data-mce-source="Thomson Reuters" data-mce-caption="Abortion protesters stand in front of a Planned Parenthood clinic in Boston, Massachusetts, June 28, 2014." /></p>
<p>Posts made by &ldquo;Joseywhales&rdquo; included calls to hang one particular StemExpress officer deemed a &ldquo;death-profiteer&rdquo; by the neck &ldquo;using piano wire.&rdquo; Other comments promised to &ldquo;pay ten grand&rdquo; to whoever killed that individual before he got the chance to.</p>
<p>The National Abortion Federation, which monitored Orton's comments and referenced his threats in a suit against the creators of the sting videos, released a statement praising the government&rsquo;s action to curtail threats against abortion providers.</p>
<p>&ldquo;Unchecked, threats contribute to a climate where some anti-abortion extremists think they are justified in taking the law into their own hands,&rdquo; NAF president Vicki Saporta said in the statement.</p>
<p>NAF&rsquo;s statement pointed to last November&rsquo;s deadly shooting at a Planned Parenthood in Colorado Springs, Colorado as one such example. Robert Dear, who's suspected of killing three people and injuring nine others in the attack, called himself &ldquo;<a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/12/09/planned-parenthood-killer-i-am-a-warrior-for-the-babies.html">a warrior for the babies</a>&rdquo; in court.</p>
</div><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/hillary-clinton-donald-trump-womens-health-platforms-positions-2016-9" >Here's how Clinton and Trump compare on abortion</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/fox-commenter-sentenced-planned-parenthood-threat-2016-10#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-cook-scrambled-eggs-anthony-bourdain-2016-11">The best way to cook scrambled eggs — according to Anthony Bourdain</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/ohio-laws-intended-to-protect-women-made-abortion-more-dangerous-2016-9Ohio laws intended to protect women actually made abortion more dangeroushttp://www.businessinsider.com/ohio-laws-intended-to-protect-women-made-abortion-more-dangerous-2016-9
Thu, 01 Sep 2016 20:45:00 -0400Leigh Cuen
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/57c8536509d2939b008b5a74-2200/rtx2ij53.jpg" alt="RTX2IJ53" data-mce-source="Thomson Reuters" data-mce-caption="Planned Parenthood clinic in Austin, TX." /></p><p></p>
<p>News flash: Laws that restrict <a href="http://www.aul.org/downloads/2016-Legislative-Guides/WPP/Abortion-Inducing_Drugs_Safety_Act_-_2016_LG.pdf">women's access to abortion</a>&nbsp;don't actually do anything to&nbsp;<a href="https://mic.com/articles/143380/anti-abortion-laws-don-t-reduce-abortion-rates-but-birth-control-does#.petoIjT4t">decrease abortion rates</a>&nbsp;&mdash; but they do make abortions&nbsp;more<a href="http://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1002110">expensive and difficult</a>&nbsp;to access.</p>
<p>Now, a new study of more than 2,700 patients in Ohio,&nbsp;published in the Public Library of Science journal<a href="http://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1002110"> PLoS Medicine,&nbsp;</a>revealed one state law <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/study-ohios-abortion-pill-law-led-worse-health-41773096">restricting access</a> to the "abortion&nbsp;pill" has actually been linked to a spike in <a href="https://mic.com/topic/womens-health">women's health</a>&nbsp;care issues.&nbsp;</p>
<p>According to the study, thanks to a law restricting women's access to mifepristone, the drug used to induce medical abortions, patients who had medical abortions in Ohio were more likely to face higher costs and side effects like nausea and vomiting, or require a follow-up procedure if initial treatment failed.&nbsp;</p>
<p>"In many cases, patients needed an in-clinic [<a href="https://mic.com/topic/abortion">abortion</a>] procedure,"&nbsp;Ushma Upadhyay, the study's lead author, said in a phone interview. "Which was the very thing they were trying to avoid. ... I would say it compromised their health."</p>
<p>In 2011, Ohio legislators implemented a law requiring doctors to prescribe&nbsp;<a href="https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/abortion/the-abortion-pill">medical&nbsp;abortion&nbsp;pills</a>, usually&nbsp;<a href="https://mic.com/articles/83657/this-mother-could-go-to-jail-for-helping-her-daughter-have-an-abortion">misoprostol</a>&nbsp;and/or&nbsp;<a href="https://mic.com/articles/98202/this-mom-s-ordeal-captures-an-appalling-truth-about-abortion-in-america#.dG3oJ8Dld">mifepristone</a>,<span data-editor-comment-id="c8c92712-f571-423a-b4e4-c8c3ded8dc15">based on official FDA guidelines and the original drug label</span>,&nbsp;<a href="http://time.com/4472497/abortion-restrictions-in-ohio-hurt-womens-health-study-finds/">Time</a><em>&nbsp;</em>reported.&nbsp;</p>
<p>That's not the standard procedure for most <a href="https://mic.com/topic/drugs">drugs</a>, since <a href="http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/PostmarketDrugSafetyInformationforPatientsandProviders/ucm111323.htm">official FDA guidelines</a>take years to update, a system that Upadhyay called a "very political process."&nbsp;The official FDA guidelines were also outdated, which Upadhyay said put some patients' health in jeopardy.&nbsp;</p>
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/57c8548509d29321008b59bc-439/ru486.jpg" alt="Ru486" data-mce-source="Wikimedia Commons" data-mce-caption="RU-486, also known by its generic name, mifepristone, induces a medical abortion." /></p>
<p>For instance, "the original FDA protocol," as dictated by the 2011 Ohio law, "was a much higher dose of the first medication [mifepristone] and a lower dose of the second [mileprostol]," Upadhyay said. "Now we know it should be flipped."<strong>"</strong></p>
<p>Nationwide, the medication can be safely used <a href="https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-illinois/patient-resources/abortion-services/abortion-pill">up to 10 weeks</a> after conception, according to <a href="https://mic.com/topic/planned-parenthood">Planned Parenthood</a>. But in <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/ohio-s-abortion-restriction-actually-made-women-less-safe-study-n640376">Ohio </a>and states like<a href="https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/blog/fda-expands-access-abortion-pill-and-reaffirms-yep-its-still-super-safe">Texas and North Dakota, </a>which also adhered to the outdated FDA guidelines, women were only allowed to take the pills for up to seven weeks, thus restricting their access to medical abortion.&nbsp;</p>
<p>"I don't know any other state law that prohibits off-label use of any other medication," Upadhyay said. "It's likely [Ohio lawmakers] knew a lot of women would be ineligible&nbsp;after the law."</p>
<p><span>Upadhyay also said that the restrictions on medical abortion&nbsp;likely disproportionately affected low-income women, who "are less likely to know they're pregnant" within the seven-week time frame.</span></p>
<p><span data-editor-comment-id="8c29fb20-58d3-4b9f-a6b4-23e694b144a4">Overall,&nbsp;</span><a href="http://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1002110"><span data-editor-comment-id="8c29fb20-58d3-4b9f-a6b4-23e694b144a4">the study said</span></a><span data-editor-comment-id="8c29fb20-58d3-4b9f-a6b4-23e694b144a4">&nbsp;patients who had medical abortions in Ohio were three times more likely to need "additional intervention," such as a second round of the same medication or a more invasive procedure, compared to patients during the "prelaw period."&nbsp;</span></p>
<p>The study also showed that the overall rate of medical abortions declined as costs and complications rose.&nbsp;Women were also "significantly more likely" to experience negative side effects, such as nausea and vomiting, as a result of having a medical abortion.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The fact that a law intending to protect women ended up doing the exact opposite isn't exactly that surprising. Studies by the <a href="https://mic.com/articles/143380/anti-abortion-laws-don-t-reduce-abortion-rates-but-birth-control-does#.petoIjT4t">World Health Organization</a>show restrictive<span data-editor-comment-id="3cc44612-9bc6-4380-a421-973de40f3710">&nbsp;abortion laws&nbsp;</span>don't keep people from getting abortions, so much as they push women to try other, often far more dangerous&nbsp;<a href="https://mic.com/articles/128802/240-000-texas-woman-have-tried-to-self-induce-abortion">methods</a>&nbsp;of terminating pregnancy.&nbsp;</p>
<p>"Because these three states [Texas, Ohio and North Dakota] have these laws, women will be stuck in time and not be able to take advantage of new clinical research," Upadhyay said.</p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/states-affected-by-abortion-ruling-2016-6" >Here's how the Supreme Court striking down a Texas abortion law could affect other states</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/ohio-laws-intended-to-protect-women-made-abortion-more-dangerous-2016-9#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/trailer-martin-scorsese-film-silence-paramount-andrew-garfield-liam-neeson-adam-driver-2016-11">Watch the trailer for the new Martin Scorsese film that took over 20 years to make</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/ohio-law-to-defund-planned-parenthood-was-overruled-by-a-federal-judge-2016-8An Ohio law meant to defund Planned Parenthood got overruledhttp://www.businessinsider.com/ohio-law-to-defund-planned-parenthood-was-overruled-by-a-federal-judge-2016-8
Fri, 12 Aug 2016 23:05:00 -0400Natasha Noman
<p><span><img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/57ae4022db5ce950008b6933-2000/gettyimages-482208094.jpg" alt="Planned Parenthood" data-mce-source="Getty Images/Olivier Douliery" data-mce-caption="Anti-abortion activists hold a rally opposing federal funding for Planned Parenthood.">On Friday, a federal judge issued a </span><span data-editor-comment-id="a570caa6-f212-4dd8-99d1-5f81d4f234d2">permanent injunction</span><span> on an </span><span data-editor-comment-id="e43ac84e-c3bf-41ca-a85c-02f4508048db">Ohio law</span><span>designed to inhibit public funds from going toward Planned Parenthood, the </span><em><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/judge-blocks-ohio-law-divert-planned-parenthood-money-41331957">Associated Press</a> </em><span>reported.</span></p>
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BREAKING: Federal judge sides with Planned Parenthood, blocks Ohio law that diverts public money from group. </p>— The Associated Press (@AP) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/764135248410058752">August 12, 2016</a>
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<p>Specifically, the judge mandated the Ohio Department of Health review a Planned Parenthood grant application. </p>
<p>"That money is mostly federal and supports initiatives that provide HIV tests, cancer screenings and other prevention services," the <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/judge-ohio-accept-planned-parenthood-grant-application-41331709"><em>AP</em></a> explained.</p>
<p>The law in question, set to take effect<span data-editor-comment-id="c4495e98-fb24-4459-bac5-0f604967e477"> in May</span>, sought to bar public funds from supporting organizations that offer abortion services or support.</p>
<p>In 2015, the Republican Party <a href="https://mic.com/articles/125536/abortion-rights-groups-fight-back-after-republican-vote-to-defund-planned-parenthood#.F62Y6Mkk5">launched</a> an aggressive campaign to defund and effectively dismantle the organization for its abortion services. </p>
<p>Federal funds <a href="http://www.npr.org/sections/itsallpolitics/2015/08/05/429641062/fact-check-how-does-planned-parenthood-spend-that-government-money">do not go</a> toward financing abortions — with the <a href="https://www.aclu.org/public-funding-abortion">exception</a> of certain cases under Medicaid — and Planned Parenthood <a href="https://issuu.com/actionfund/docs/annual_report_final_proof_12.16.14_/0">r<span data-editor-comment-id="5c386223-253f-4059-89fe-d1cf504d4089">eported</span></a> abortions account for only 3% of its services (though <a href="http://www.politifact.com/punditfact/statements/2015/aug/04/sandra-smith/fox-business-reporter-95-planned-parenthoods-pregn/">PolitiFact</a> estimated that figure is closer to 12%).</p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/donald-trump-americans-guantnamo-bay-2016-8" >Donald Trump suggests US citizens could be sent to Guantánamo Bay</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/ohio-law-to-defund-planned-parenthood-was-overruled-by-a-federal-judge-2016-8#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/income-state-top-one-percent-salary-map-2016-11">Here's how much you need to make to be in the top 1% of every state</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/likely-trump-vp-pick-mike-pence-helped-spark-the-federal-fight-against-planned-parenthood-2016-7Likely Trump VP pick Mike Pence helped spark the federal fight against Planned Parenthoodhttp://www.businessinsider.com/likely-trump-vp-pick-mike-pence-helped-spark-the-federal-fight-against-planned-parenthood-2016-7
Thu, 14 Jul 2016 15:30:39 -0400Caroline Simon
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/5787e10388e4a7da328b7f26-2000/gettyimages-482208094.jpg" alt="Planned Parenthood" data-mce-source="Getty Images/Olivier Douliery" data-mce-caption="Anti-abortion activists hold a rally opposing federal funding for Planned Parenthood." /></p><p>Indiana Gov. Mike Pence &mdash; <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/trump-mike-pence-vice-president-2016-7">Trump's reported vice presidential pick</a> &mdash; helped launch the federal fight against Planned Parenthood nearly a decade ago.</p>
<p>Republicans have worked tirelessly to defund the organization, which is the nation's largest abortion provider, <a href="http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/08/30-year-history-gop-attacks-defund-planned-parenthood">since the late 1970s</a>. But prior to Pence's efforts, most of those battles had been fought on the state level.</p>
<p>If Pence is officially named running mate, his history of fighting abortion could boost Trump's standing as a conservative &mdash; the controversial billionaire has long struggled to win the support of the religious right.</p>
<p>That gives Pence a major advantage over other potential Trump picks &mdash; like retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, who <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/general-mike-flynn-says-he-is-pro-choice-2016-7">said he was pro-abortion rights</a> and earned dismay from many Republicans. He later <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/michael-flynn-abortion-vp-trump-2016-7">waffled over his position</a> on abortion rights.</p>
<p>But Pence has a consistent anti-abortion track record. In 2007, while serving in Congress, Pence sponsored an <a href="http://www.nrlc.org/archive/news/2007/NRL12/PP.html">amendment to an appropriations bill</a> that would have defunded Planned Parenthood by blocking it from receiving Title X grants.</p>
<p>The amendment didn't pass, but he pursued the issue for another four years before the House of Representatives finally approved an amendment to defund Planned Parenthood. That measure ultimately failed to become law &mdash; but not before it nearly <a href="http://www.npr.org/2011/04/13/135354952/planned-parenthood-makes-abortion-foes-see-red">shut down the federal government</a>.</p>
<p>"What's clear to me, if you follow the money, you can actually take the funding supports out of abortion," he <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2011/02/pences-war-on-planned-parenthood-049609?o=1">told Politico in 2011</a>. "We then have a much better opportunity to move forward to be a society that says yes to life."</p>
<p>Planned Parenthood is prohibited from using federal money for abortions, but typically spends it on other women's healthcare services like STD tests and exams to provide contraception.</p>
<p>Pence argued that taking away federal funding from health clinics would limit their ability to perform abortions.</p>
<p>"We should end the day when the largest abortion provider is the largest recipient of [Title X] federal funding," he said.</p>
<p>The House has now <a href="http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2016/01/congress-just-voted-defund-planned-parenthood-eighth-time">voted eight times</a> to defund Planned Parenthood. After an anti-abortion group last year <a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-planned-parenthood-videos">released several videos</a> claiming Planned Parenthood was involved in criminal activities, the debate over abortion has only grown more contentious.</p>
<p>Pence has also introduced several anti-abortion measures in his own state since becoming governor &mdash; including <a href="http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2016/03/indiana-governor-signs-expansive-abortion-bill">one this March</a> that prohibits women from having abortions based on the disability status of the fetus and mandated the cremation or burial of fetal tissue. The law was temporarily blocked by a federal judge following the Supreme Court's <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/the-supreme-court-just-struck-down-a-texas-law-limiting-access-to-abortions-2016-6">landmark abortion decision</a> in June.</p>
<p>"Let the abortion providers provide for themselves," Pence <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2011/02/pences-war-on-planned-parenthood-049609?o=1">told Politico</a>. "I'd like to continue to be a persistent, respectful voice for the sanctity of life."</p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/trump-mike-pence-vice-president-2016-7" >Reports: Donald Trump to select Mike Pence as VP choice</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/likely-trump-vp-pick-mike-pence-helped-spark-the-federal-fight-against-planned-parenthood-2016-7#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/donald-trump-election-president-social-media-restrained-60-minutes-twitter-2016-11">Trump goes on a tweetstorm less than 48 hours after promising to be more 'restrained' on Twitter</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/planned-parenthood-is-using-pokmon-go-to-promote-safe-sex-condom-charmander-2016-7Planned Parenthood is using Pokémon Go to promote safe sexhttp://www.businessinsider.com/planned-parenthood-is-using-pokmon-go-to-promote-safe-sex-condom-charmander-2016-7
Thu, 14 Jul 2016 10:40:18 -0400James Grebey
<p><img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/5787a463dd0895d70b8b4854-1140/screen%20shot%202016-07-14%20at%2010.21.12%20am.png" alt="Condom Pokemon" data-mce-source="Planned Parenthood"></p><p></p>
<p><a href="http://www.thisisinsider.com/what-to-know-about-pokmon-go-if-youre-not-going-to-play-2016-7">Pokémon Go</a> is the current big thing, and everybody wants to cash in on the action. Perhaps the most surprising unofficial Pokémon Go tie-in came from a branch of Planned Parenthood, when they tweeted out an, uh, adorable cartoon of a condom Pokémon. </p>
<p>"When you don't want to #CatchEmAll, condoms help prevent pregnancy and STDs," the Planned Parenthood branch for Minnesota and North and South Dakota wrote on <a href="https://twitter.com/ppmn/status/753315065718185984">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BHzuFE_B1Ci/">Instagram</a>. </p>
<p>The image, which was created by Planned Parenthood's partner <a href="http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/">Advocates for Youth</a>, is clearly a combination of the Fire-type Pokémon <a href="http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Charmander_(Pok%C3%A9mon)">Charmander</a> and a ribbed condom. The tweet has racked up more than 14,000 retweets.</p>
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When you don't want to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CatchEmAll?src=hash">#CatchEmAll</a>, condoms help prevent pregnancy and STDs. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PokemonGO?src=hash">#PokemonGO</a> <a href="https://t.co/pSXlC9cpsZ">https://t.co/pSXlC9cpsZ</a> <a href="https://t.co/FrgWRMc7rD">pic.twitter.com/FrgWRMc7rD</a> </p>— Planned Parenthood (@ppmn) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/753315065718185984">July 13, 2016</a>
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<p><strong><span style="line-height: 22.5px;">Correction:</span></strong><span style="line-height: 22.5px;"> An earlier version of this story said that Planned Parenthood designed the graphic. It was actually created by Advocates for Youth, and shared by Planned Parenthood. </span><span style="line-height: 22.5px;"></span></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/planned-parenthood-is-using-pokmon-go-to-promote-safe-sex-condom-charmander-2016-7#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/weird-pokemon-go-stories-2016-7">The weirdest things to happen while people are playing 'Pokémon GO'</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/planned-parenthood-mediaid-kansas-2016-7Judge blocks attempt to remove Planned Parenthood from a public health program in Kansashttp://www.businessinsider.com/planned-parenthood-mediaid-kansas-2016-7
Tue, 05 Jul 2016 18:10:56 -0400Curtis Skinner
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/56cfef072e526554008b9b9a-2000/gettyimages-482208094.jpg" alt="Planned Parenthood" data-mce-source="Getty Images/Olivier Douliery" data-mce-caption="Anti-abortion activists hold a rally opposing federal funding for Planned Parenthood." /></p><p>(Reuters) - A federal judge on Tuesday struck down Kansas Governor Sam Brownback's efforts to remove Planned Parenthood, a U.S. women's healthcare and abortion provider, from a health insurance program for the poor in Kansas.</p>
<p>U.S. District Judge Julie Robinson issued the 54-page order providing for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The judge ruled that the state could not cancel Medicaid provider agreements with Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri and Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri. The two organizations sued the state in May.</p>
<p>(Editing by Cynthia Osterman)</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/planned-parenthood-mediaid-kansas-2016-7#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/why-boeing-747-front-hump-2016-11">Here's why Boeing 747s have a giant hump in the front</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/accused-planned-parenthood-shooter-incompetent-to-stand-trial-2016-5The accused Planned Parenthood shooter has been declared incompetent to stand trialhttp://www.businessinsider.com/accused-planned-parenthood-shooter-incompetent-to-stand-trial-2016-5
Wed, 11 May 2016 16:32:00 -0400
<p><span><img style="float:right;" src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/5668ad002340f816008b48d4-3044-2283/2015-12-09t221452z_1_lynxmpebb81e6_rtroptp_4_colorado-shooter-suspect.jpg" alt="Robert Dear Planned Parenthood" data-mce-source="REUTERS/Andy Cross" data-mce-caption="Robert Lewis Dear, 57, accused of shooting three people to death and wounding nine others at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado last month, attends his hearing to face 179 counts of various criminal charges." /></span></p>
<p>COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Reuters) - The man accused of killing three people and wounding nine others in a shooting rampage last year at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado was declared incompetent to stand trial at a court hearing on his mental state on Wednesday.</p>
<p>The ruling by El Paso County Judge Gilbert Martinez effectively means a suspension in criminal proceedings stemming from the first fatal attack on a U.S. abortion provider since 2009.</p>
<p>The defendant, Robert Lewis Dear, 58, will transported back to a state mental hospital in Pueblo, Colorado, for "restorative treatment," and his status will be reviewed again in 90 days, on Aug. 11, the judge ordered.</p>
<p>Martinez cited the findings of two court-appointed state psychologists who evaluated Dear and concluded he was suffering from a psychotic delusional disorder that they said rendered him mentally unfit to stand trial.</p>
<p>The judge said he was persuaded by the psychologists that while Dear could comprehend the proceedings from a factual standpoint, his delusions and paranoia left him unable to meaningfully assist in his own defense.</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/accused-planned-parenthood-shooter-incompetent-to-stand-trial-2016-5#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/trailer-martin-scorsese-film-silence-paramount-andrew-garfield-liam-neeson-adam-driver-2016-11">Watch the trailer for the new Martin Scorsese film that took over 20 years to make</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/planned-parenthood-gunman-says-feds-followed-him-2016-4Planned Parenthood shooting suspect says he believed federal agents were following himhttp://www.businessinsider.com/planned-parenthood-gunman-says-feds-followed-him-2016-4
Thu, 28 Apr 2016 16:34:00 -0400Keith Coffman
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/5668ad002340f816008b48d4-3044-2283/2015-12-09t221452z_1_lynxmpebb81e6_rtroptp_4_colorado-shooter-suspect.jpg" alt="Robert Dear Planned Parenthood" data-mce-source="REUTERS/Andy Cross" data-mce-caption="Robert Lewis Dear, 57, accused of shooting three people to death and wounding nine others at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado last month, attends his hearing to face 179 counts of various criminal charges." /></p><p>A man accused of fatally shooting three people and wounding nine others at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado last year thought he was being followed by federal agents that day, a police detective said in court on Thursday.</p>
<p>Robert Lewis Dear, 58, told police he believed 10 federal agents were following him the day of the shooting, and his neighbor and girlfriend also were working for federal officials, Colorado Springs Police Department detective Jerry Schiffelbein said under questioning by Dear's attorney. The detective interviewed Dear after his arrest.</p>
<p>The hearing is to determine whether Dear is mentally competent enough to fire his lawyers. Dear has said he wants to represent himself against multiple charges of murder and attempted murder, after previously declaring he was guilty and calling himself a "warrior for the babies" at a hearing in December.</p>
<p>Dear also said the Federal Bureau of Investigation had been following him after he called into a radio station following the Branch Davidian mass deaths in 1993 in Waco, Texas, Schiffelbein testified. He said there was no indication federal officials ever actually followed Dear.</p>
<p>Dear interrupted the hearings a couple times, blurting out "I figured it out" and "I forgive her" in relation to his girlfriend.</p>
<p>El Paso County District Court Judge Gilbert Martinez ordered the South Carolina native to undergo a competency examination after Dear previously said he wanted to dismiss his lawyers.</p>
<p>Those attorneys have said in court papers that evaluators concluded Dear was mentally incompetent, but it is up to Martinez to rule whether the case can proceed and if Dear can represent himself.</p>
<p>If the judge rules Dear mentally unfit, the case will be suspended while he undergoes treatment until he is restored to competency.</p>
<p><img class="center" src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/56b33fa85124c9b65a8b4567-728-485/anti-abortion-activist-behind-covert-videos-to-be-in-texas-court.jpg" alt="A member of the New York Police Department stands outside a Planned Parenthood clinic in the Manhattan borough of New York, November 28, 2015. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly" width="770" height="513" data-mce-source="Thomson Reuters" data-mce-caption="A member of the New York Police Department stands outside a Planned Parenthood clinic in the Manhattan borough of New York" />Dear has been held without bond at the El Paso County jail since he surrendered on Nov. 27 at the Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs following a five-hour siege. It marked the first deadly attack on a U.S. abortion provider since 2009.</p>
<p>Dear, who police said was armed with several rifles and opened fire in the parking lot of the clinic before storming the building, told detectives after his arrest that he was upset with Planned Parenthood for performing abortions and what he said was the "selling of body parts," the documents showed.</p>
<p>District Attorney Dan May said he would not announce whether he would seek the death penalty until after Dear formally enters a plea.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>(Editing by Alex Dobuzinskis, Peter Cooney and Bernard Orr)</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/planned-parenthood-gunman-says-feds-followed-him-2016-4#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/why-boeing-747-front-hump-2016-11">Here's why Boeing 747s have a giant hump in the front</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/r-planned-parenthood-sues-indiana-for-abortion-law-2016-4Planned Parenthood is suing Indiana for its law that restricts abortionhttp://www.businessinsider.com/r-planned-parenthood-sues-indiana-for-abortion-law-2016-4
Thu, 07 Apr 2016 17:39:00 -0400Justin Madden
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/57068a045124c922368b456b-450-300/planned-parenthood-sues-indiana-for-abortion-law-2016-4.jpg" alt="File photo of a sign pictured at the entrance to a Planned Parenthood building in New York August 31, 2015. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson " border="0" /></p><p>Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky on Thursday filed a lawsuit against the state of Indiana, saying a new state law restricting abortion was unconstitutional.</p>
<p>The law, which was signed last month by Indiana Governor Mike Pence and goes into effect on July 1, prohibits abortion in the early stages of a pregnancy based on genetic abnormalities and mandates a fetus be buried or cremated, according to the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court.</p>
<p>Planned Parenthood asked for an injunction on the law, according to the lawsuit, which was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of the Planned Parenthood chapter.</p>
<p>&ldquo;The United States Supreme Court has repeatedly stressed that a woman, not the state, is to determine whether or not to obtain an abortion," Ken Falk, legal director for ACLU of Indiana, said in a statement. "The state of Indiana&rsquo;s attempt to invade a woman&rsquo;s privacy and to control her decision in this regard is unprecedented and unconstitutional."</p>
<p>The lawsuit named the Indiana State Department of Health, prosecutors of several counties and the state medical licensing board.</p>
<p>A spokeswoman for Pence could not be reached to comment.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>(Reporting by Justin Madden; Editing by Bill Trott)</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/r-planned-parenthood-sues-indiana-for-abortion-law-2016-4#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/ap-state-by-state-strategy-wielded-to-defund-planned-parenthood-2016-3Republicans are succeeding in a state-by-state strategy to defund Planned Parenthoodhttp://www.businessinsider.com/ap-state-by-state-strategy-wielded-to-defund-planned-parenthood-2016-3
Mon, 28 Mar 2016 18:03:00 -0400David Crary
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/56f9a0e591058436008b93b1-3111-2333/rts2c4u.jpg" alt="abortion protest" data-mce-source="Reuters/Mario Anzuoni" data-mce-caption="Activists hold signs as they rally against abortion outside City Hall in Los Angeles, California Sept. 29, 2015." /></p><p>NEW YORK (AP) &mdash; Though congressional Republicans' bid to defund Planned Parenthood was vetoed by President Barack Obama, anti-abortion activists and politicians are achieving a growing portion of their goal with an aggressive state-by-state strategy.</p>
<p>Over the past year, more than a dozen states have sought to halt or reduce public funding for Planned Parenthood. The latest to join the offensive is Florida; GOP Gov. Rick Scott signed a bill Friday that bars Planned Parenthood from accessing state funds.</p>
<p>Defunding has been blocked by court action in some states. But cutbacks in other states are forcing Planned Parenthood to drop contraceptive services, health screenings and other programs serving thousands of low-income women.</p>
<p>"It's been a non-stop assault &mdash; with devastating consequences for the patients we serve," said Dawn Laguens, Planned Parenthood's executive vice president. "At what point d you hit a tipping point where it has same impact as if a federal bill had passed?"</p>
<p>Planned Parenthood is a national target because of its role as the largest U.S. abortion provider. Federal law and the laws of most states already prevent public money from paying for abortions except in rare circumstances, but the recent defunding bills prohibit state money for any services by an organization that also provides abortions.</p>
<p>During debate in Florida, state Sen. Aaron Bean offered this rationale: "We pay their light bill, we pay their salaries, we pay all kinds of things when the state contracts with these clinics... Let's get Florida out of the abortion business."</p>
<p>Many of the measures surfaced after anti-abortion activists began releasing secretly recorded videos last July alleging that Planned Parenthood sold fetal tissue to researchers for a profit in violation of federal law. Planned Parenthood denied any wrongdoing, and investigations by several congressional panels and states have produced no evidence that it acted illegally.</p>
<p>Despite that, some Republican governors and lawmakers have cited the videos as justification for defunding.</p>
<p>States where defunding has been blocked by litigation include Alabama, Louisiana and Utah. In some other states, the impact of defunding may be slight &mdash; Mississippi, for example, is pursuing that step even though Planned Parenthood received less than $1,000 in state money in each of the past five years.</p>
<p>However, Planned Parenthood says the cuts have had tangible impact in several states. It cites Indiana, saying funding cuts led to closure of a Planned Parenthood clinic that was the only HIV testing center in Scott County &mdash; the subsequent site of an HIV epidemic.</p>
<p>A look at some other states where defunding has had an impact:</p>
<p>___</p>
<h3>Texas</h3>
<p>Texas was one of the first states to target Planned Parenthood's funding, saying it would not send Medicaid funds to organizations that provided abortions. The Republican-led state government culminated a multiyear effort by ousting Planned Parenthood from the Texas Women's Health Program in 2013 and opting to fund the program entirely with state money so it would not run afoul of federal law.</p>
<p>Dr. Paul Fine, medical director of Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast, said the move affected health screenings and contraceptive services for more than 13,000 low-income women, many of them in areas with limited health care alternatives.</p>
<p>Charitable donations covered some of the lost funding, Fine said, but overall Planned Parenthood has seen a shift to more patients paying in cash or relying on commercial health insurance.<img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/56f9a1a6910584145c8b9019-3000-2250/rts6q61.jpg" alt="texas planned parenthood" data-mce-source="Reuters/Delcia Lopez" data-mce-caption="Celena Pollock, a PA AT University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, helps at the Nuestra Clinica del Valle in San Juan, Texas, Sept. 22, 2015" /></p>
<p>John Seago, legislative director of Texas Right To Life, acknowledged there was a dip in the number of women served after Planned Parenthood was defunded. However, he said Texas has made progress in rebuilding a network of facilities that provide women's health care, with more providers now than in 2010.</p>
<p>Seago said he's encouraged that numerous other states have sought to defund Planned Parenthood, but noted that some have struggled with their tactics.</p>
<p>"Defunding Planned Parenthood is not an easy public policy goal," he said. "There are limits on what states can do. Some states have crossed that line and made mistakes."</p>
<p>In February, a study in the New England Journal of Medicine asserted that fewer women in Texas had obtained long-acting birth control after Planned Parenthood was ousted from the health program.</p>
<p>The study fueled a backlash. State Sen. Jane Nelson called it biased and misleading, and one of the co-authors left his job with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission after incurring criticism for his role.</p>
<p>___</p>
<h3>Wisconsin</h3>
<p>In Wisconsin, Planned Parenthood has been the target of defunding efforts since Republican Gov. Scott Walker took office in 2011. Walker signed a bill that year eliminating all state funding for Planned Parenthood health centers, contributing to the closure of five rural clinics.</p>
<p>In February, Walker signed two bills that together are expected to cost Planned Parenthood $8 million per year in federal funds &mdash; including $3.5 million for family planning. The bills require state health officials to seek federal funding in the future on behalf of "less controversial providers."</p>
<p>Nicole Safar, government relations director for Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, said her organization has not yet decided whether to challenge the bills in court.</p>
<p>If the cutbacks do take effect, Safar said, they would affect low-income women "who don't have anywhere else to go."</p>
<p>___</p>
<h3>Ohio</h3>
<p>Amid his presidential campaign, Ohio's GOP Gov. John Kasich signed a bill in February designed to strip about $1.3 million in government money from the state's Planned Parenthood affiliates. The funds, mostly federal, have supported HIV testing, promoted teen pregnancy prevention, and assisted nearly 2,800 new or expectant mothers last year.</p>
<p>Diego Espino, a vice president of Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, said the cut would not force the organization to close any of its 28 health centers in the state.</p>
<p>"We're not going away," he said. "But this will deprive thousands of women of very essential services."</p>
<p>Stephanie Ranade Krider, who advocated for the funding cuts as executive director of Ohio Right to Life, said the political message was more important that the amount of the cutback.</p>
<p>"When we look at the whole picture, it's like a drop in the bucket," she said. "The public relations impact is much more significant &mdash; it makes a statement that Ohio will no longer be doing business with the abortion industry."</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Follow David Crary on Twitter at http://twitter.com/CraryAP</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/ap-state-by-state-strategy-wielded-to-defund-planned-parenthood-2016-3#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/insectothopter-cia-dragonfly-spy-drone-military-defense-espionage-spies-2016-12">In the 1970s the CIA created a spy drone the size of a dragonfly</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/florida-women-now-have-to-wait-24-hours-before-getting-an-abortion-2016-2Florida women will now have to wait 24 hours before they can legally get an abortionhttp://www.businessinsider.com/florida-women-now-have-to-wait-24-hours-before-getting-an-abortion-2016-2
Fri, 26 Feb 2016 13:15:09 -0500
<div class="story-teaser">
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/56d0947f6e97c627008ba055-691-519/north-carolina-governor-will-sign-bill-for-72-hour-wait-for-abortion-2015-6.jpg" alt="A pro-life activist holds a doll and banner while advocating his stance on abortion near the site of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina on September 4, 2012. REUTERS/Adrees Latif " data-mce-source="Thomson Reuters" data-mce-caption="A pro-life activist advocates his stance on abortion near the site of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte" />A Florida appeals court on Friday ordered the enforcement of a state law that that requires women to wait 24 hours before getting an abortion.</p>
</div>
<div class="story-body">
<p>The 1st District Court of Appeal lifted an injunction that blocked the waiting period from taking effect. In its decision, the three-judge panel contended that a circuit judge did not have enough facts or evidence to support blocking the law.</p>
<p>Judge Charles Francis had blocked the law one day before the waiting period was scheduled to take effect. Francis is chief judge for the north Florida circuit that includes the state capital.</p>
<p>The waiting period law was passed last year by the Florida Legislature. During last year's session, abortion was the subject of emotional debate. Democrats complained the bill was simply an effort to put up roadblocks to infringe on women's rights to an abortion; Republicans said women should have to wait before making such a major decision.</p>
<p>The law has exceptions for victims of rape, incest, domestic abuse or human trafficking if women present their doctors with a police report, restraining order or similar documentation.</p>
<p>The American Civil Liberties Union challenged the law on behalf of a Gainesville abortion clinic. The lawsuit argued that the 24-hour waiting period created a burden that violated a right to privacy included in Florida's constitution.</p>
</div><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/florida-women-now-have-to-wait-24-hours-before-getting-an-abortion-2016-2#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/dermatologist-best-way-wash-your-face-2016-11">The 3 worst things you do when you wash your face — according to a dermatologist</a></p>